
Glass _SFa, 31- 

Book J_4 

OoppghtN 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE GAIT 



OF THE AMERICAN 



TROTTER. AND PACER 

AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR GAIT BY 
A NEW METHOD 



AND 



AN INVESTIGATION OF THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES 
CONCERNING THE PROPER BALANCING OF 

MOTION ACTION AND EXTENSION 



BY 



RUDOLF JORDAN, Jr. 




New York 

WILLIAM R. JENKINS CO. 

PUBLISHERS 

851-853 Sixth Avenue 



^ 









Copyright, 1910 
By William R. Jenkins Co. 

[All Rights Reserved] 



PRINTED BY THE 

Press of "William R. Jenkins Co. 
New York 



CGI.A265378 



>. 



THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE OP THE HUMANE 
TREATMENT AND RATIONAL CARE OP THE HORSE, WITH- 
OUT WHOSE DRUDGERY AND CONSTANT TOIL THE PRO- 
GRESS OP THE WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN MATERIALLY 
RETARDED, AND THE COMFORTS AND PLEASURES OP OUR 
DAILY LIFE WOULD BE FAR LESS IN DEGREE AND EXTENT 



PREFACE 



Every owner and every trainer of a trotter or pacer, in fact, every 
one to whom the horse in general is a source of revenue or of pleasure, 
should make himself familiar with the simple principles of the animal's 
locomotion, and with the rational system of shoeing, as presented and 
advocated by the late David Roberge, in his book "The Foot of the 
Horse." Though given to the public over ten years ago, it is doubtful 
whether its real worth has been generally appreciated and estimated. 

The late David Roberge of New York seems to have been one of 
the few intelligent horseshoers who combine the science with the art 
of their trade. He came to the rescue of the suffering equine world 
with a logical and simple method. His connections with Robert Bonner 
gave him the advantage of the views of that great student of the horse's 
locomotion, to whose persuasion is due the publication of that book. 
Their experiences and deductions were identical and constitute the 
most rational views and data on this subject. 

In a personal correspondence with the writer he regretted that ill 
health had prevented him from supplementing his work with another 
on the special subject of balancing the gait of the fast trotter and 
pacer, because he felt the need of just such a treatise. As it is he took 
up the cause of the horse in general, thereby appealing to every owner 
who, wishes to use the horse to the best possible advantage. All the 
greater in consequence becomes the merit of his work. 

The writer is grateful to him for valuable suggestions, and has 
for many years put into practice his system of shoeing. This effort to 
prove and to apply his teachings have led to a systematic analysis of 
gait by means of measurements and by averages and variations, so as 
to plot the peculiarities of each horse's mode of locomotion. The out- 
come is a sytsem which, though based on Roberge's investigations, is 
itself original in conception. It is offered in the hope that it will assist 
many owners and trainers of our fast trotters and pacers in solving the 



vi Preface 

intricate problem of balancing or adjusting the motion, extension and 
action of the horse at speed. 

The laws of "pointing", or the horse's movement of the foot in the 
lines of least inconvenience or pain, as laid down by Roberge, form a 
very simple and rational foundation for paring the hoof and putting 
on the shoe. Much thought has already been given to this subject of 
balancing and gaiting, but as yet little has been done or shown by any 
methodical investigation. 

Granting that much knowledge of gait may be gathered by sight, 
sound and sensation, in other words, by watching the action from all 
points of the compass and by listening to the fall of the feet, as well 
as by feeling the mouth while speeding, all proper balancing under such 
observation will nevertheless remain more or less guess-work. It will 
always be tedious experimenting for lack of definite data ; and even 
when success crowns the countless efforts and there is a happy combi- 
nation of adjustment, it is apt to be momentary and will give no rule 
for a repetition of the same conditions. Unless some more precise and 
exact method can be devised, there will be no record left behind, and 
we shall not possess any definite knowledge. Such guess-work and 
repeated haphazard trials, even when successful for a time, give no 
rational explanation of previous conditions or of the effect of any 
changes, or of the final results. 

What is wanted is some plan or method by which any fault in the 
action or extension can be readily discovered and one's whole energy 
can be employed from the very start toward a possible correction of 
such deficiency. 

Let us not gamble with Luck, cautions the Sage of Concord, but 
deal directly with Cause and Effect. Even then chances may be against 
us, but we at least deal with the subject in a logical and not in an ir- 
rational manner. 

It is not claimed by the writer that any horse, or all of them, can 
be made to move squarely and fast by such a method, but merely that 
the faulty action can be more readily detected. It will be shown that 
there is at least a rational plan for the discovery, if not for the removal, 
of the cause of faulty or deficient action. No cure-all is offered, nor 



Preface vii 

is there a wish to belittle the judgment of intelligent horseshoers; 
for these there will be enough to do in spite of all knowledge of faulty 
action. 

Far from overestimating my knowledge of shoeing, I beg to leave 
the importance of proper shoes for special needs to the intelligent men 
at the forge, who should understand the anatomy of the foot as well as 
they know how to turn and apply a sensible shoe. There is no patent 
on this method. Anybody with a little ability to figure and with a 
little accuracy and patience can work out the necessary data. Special 
note books for that purpose may be had from the author. 

This book is the result of much time and labor, just as other 
duties would allow and opportunities offered themselves ; but during the 
long years of his investigations, the writer was always guided by the 
principle that authority and tradition, though good as a basis, should 
not be looked upon as being free from grievous error. It is a human 
habit to follow tradition and routine as the safest and quickest way out 
of difficulties and to yield to the undefinable attraction or mystery of 
luck. An open-minded inquiry directed solely and without prejudice 
towards the establishment of facts led to the investigations here offered. 
As reasonable and plausible as the assertions of Roberge appeared to 
be, his theory of pointing lacked proof as regards animals in motion. 
These assertions were likewise subjected to continued tests by this 
method until they were shown to be either entirely true or partly true. 

At bottom, however, of these very facts there is at all times the 
great beauty of animal motion in which every lover of the horse de- 
lights. To convey this to the mind, when the eye cannot actually see it, 
is the mission of the true artist. I have, therefore, given as the very 
first illustration, a copy of a picture of a three-year-old colt, bred and 
at one time owned by me, which was painted by our well-known artist, 
H. W. Hansen. His watercolors of horses in motion are everywhere 
recognized for their exquisite coloring and excellent outline and depth. 
The half-tone reproduction does not quite come up to the original in 
color effect, but the expression and attitude of the animal are worth 
noting. 

Without the advice and assistance of others I would not now be 



viii Preft 



ace 



able to put these investigations before the public, and I therefore, take 
pleasure in acknowledging my gratitude to all who have aided me. 

To my old friend, -Dr. H. H. Claussen, I am indebted for his 
careful instruction regarding the anatomy and make-up of the horse; 
and to J. P. Patery, a skilful and intelligent horseshoer of Oakland, Cal., 
for much practical advice and for his very efficient services at all times. 
For the diligent and successful efforts in the training and driving of 
the horses under observation, I am also indebted to Howard L. Franklin, 
of Syracuse, N. Y., K. O'Grady and sons, of San Mateo, Cal., and to 
C. B. Bigelow, of Woodland, Cal. 

Furthermore, I take occasion to acknowledge my obligation to 
I. B. Dalziel, T. W. Barstow, O. V. Greene, "The Horse Review," 
Ted Hansom, and Schreiber & Sons, and M. H. Reardon, for their 
courtesy extended regarding the use and reproduction of some excel- 
lent photographs ; and I also wish to express my thanks to George W. 
Ellis for his painstaking efforts and for his advice in the matter of 
illustrations, and to Dwight L. Hackett — last but not least — for his 
suggestions in presenting this book to the public. 

Rudolf Jordan, Jr. 
2563 Washington St., 

San Francisco, California. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Preface . v 

CHAPTER I. 
Wanted — A Square Gait . . . i 

CHAPTER II. 

The Tracks and Motion of the Feet . . . . 8 

CHAPTER III. 
The Attitude and Motion of the Legs . . . . 18 

CHAPTER IV. 
The Record of the Tracks on the Ground and the Im- 
portance of Averages 40 

CHAPTER V. 

The Requisites of Perfect Balance 87 

r. The Constant Shape of Hoof . . . . . .87 

2. Paring the Hoof to Counteract its Growth and Faulty 

Directions 94 

3. The Shape of Shoes as a Corrective of Gait . . .108 

4. Simplicity of Rig and the Need of Time . . . .114 

CHAPTER VI. 
Experiments and their Verification 118 

1. General Considerations . . . . . . .118 

2. The Turns of the Track and the General Directions of 

the Feet 125 

3. Toe-weights 141 

4. Knee and Hock Action Regulated by Weight and Shape 

of Shoes 165 

A. Squared Toes of Shoes . . . . . . .193 

B. Longer Heels on Hind Shoes With and Without Squared 

Toes 211 

CHAPTER VII. 
The Angle and Length of Foot 241 



Contents 



PAGE 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Harmony in a Gait 262 

1 . The Prime Condition of an Easy and Regular Gait . 262 

2. Single-footing — An Alarm of a Disordered Gait . . 266 

CHAPTER IX. 

Downhill and Uphill Trials Compared . . . . 278 

CHAPTER X. 

The Main Features of Measurements .... 295 

CHAPTER XI. 
A Plea for a Useful Trotter and Concluding Remarks . 305 



THE GAIT 



OF THE AMERICAN 



TROTTER AND PACER 



* ' The epochs of our life are not in the visible facts of our choice 
of a calling, our marriage, our acquisition of an office, and the like, 
but in a silent thought by the wayside as we walk ; in a thought 
which revives our entire manner of life and says : ' Thus hast thou 
done, but it were better thus.' " 

Ralph Waldo Emerson (Spiritual Laws). 



CHAPTER I. 



WANTED— A SQUARE GAIT. 



One of the most puzzling and intricate problems for the trainer 
of the trotter or pacer to solve is proper balance. By "balance" is 
meant such exact adjustment of hitching and checking, weight of 
shoes, as well as length of toe and its angle with heel, that will bring 
about, with the least expenditure of energy on the part of the horse, 
the most regular and frictionless, the truest and freest action, and 
therefore the greatest speed which such a horse is capable of pro- 
ducing. 

The great difficulty of controlling a horse's locomotion lies not 
only in the complexity of a living organism, but also more particu- 
larly in the shape and the articulation of the leg and the hoof. Where, 
however, the relations of the mental and physical qualities of the horse 
are not such as to suggest or establish the so-called trotting instinct, 
or the ability to stick to the trotting (or pacing) action, even man's 
best devices and efforts often fail. It may lie- within the possibilities 
of the laws of heredity, that by continual training of successive genera- 
tions of the harness horse this instinct will become more of a fixed or 
typical characteristic. The ideal outcome of such hereditary influ- 
ence would, therefore, seem to be a more ready response to the train- 
ing for speed, and may bring about the disuse of all the cumbersome 
paraphernalia for the protection of the legs and of the cruel and un- 
natural check-line, so that a free action and a free head may become 
the general results of all combined efforts of the breeding and training 
of our harness horse. 

Any sound and well bred trotter or pacer that has not been abused 
will stick to a square gait and will, true to his instinct, try to do his 
level best until constrained by some difficulty of movement. In most 
cases these are mechanical hindrances, such as ill-shaped feet, too 

i 



2 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

heavy or too light a shoe, or one of bad shape, or the general discom- 
fort of the harness and of the hitching to cart or sulky. 

Any forced methods, such as whipping, in order to "straighten him 
out" after irregular action or a break, can hardly come under the head 
of training and show lack of balance in the man behind the animal 
rather than in the horse. 

The secret of the American trainer's success with the harness 
horse lies in his appeal to the animal's moral and mental qualities. 
Such a course makes the horse reliable and on it hinges more or less 
the result of a speed contest. To develop this .confidence and courage 
in a horse proper balance is absolutely essential. A square gait alone 
will conserve muscle and strength, and will increase endurance. Be- 
sides, there is the spectator's point of view to be considered, because 
there is nothing as impressive as a horse that goes like a piece of ma- 
chinery, and the public takes delight in the unswerving regularity and 
equalized energy of a square gait. 

There are trainers who seem to favor an irregular gait on the 
score that it rests a horse and that it makes him "catch" his gait more 
readily after a "break" or run. Skipping behind or rolling in front 
may favor such a handy "catch" because no time is lost in squaring 
away again. It really amounts to a questionable means "to get there", 
but does not constitute an honest effort such as the spectator has a 
right to demand. The usefulness of the harness horse should not be 
lost sight of, and all training should be directed toward bringing out 
the best qualities and teaching the best manners. The sport of speed 
contests — known also under the questionable name, "the game" — 
should be "on the square," and it is therefore to the interest of the 
cause of the harness horse that he should be trained to a square gait 
only. 

Every trainer knows what a square gait is. In the course of this 
discussion on gaits as given in this book it will be shown that a square 
gait means nothing more nor less than an even and equal extension 
backward and forward for all the four moving legs of the horse, with 
two pair of feet striking the ground at equal intervals of time and dis- 
tance during a given trial. 



Wanted — A Square Gait 3 

Many faults of gait can be learned by studying the tracks of the 
horse's hoofs on the ground, and I urge trainers in general, and 
owners too, to direct their attention to these footprints. For, from 
the nature and position of these tracks, they can arrive at a remedy for 
a faulty gait much more quickly. It is not very hard work — consider- 
ing the results — to rake off a piece of ground, which has been pre- 
viously harrowed and is moist enough to show the tracks plainly. The 
record of the ground may serve to lead to a better record of the mile, 
and the impressions on the ground may help to effect better impres- 
sions on the grand stand. To give it meaning we must have two 
things, namely, a tape line and a white cord. The latter is stretched 
midway between the two sulky-wheel tracks and figures as a line of 
reference for the position of the feet; and the 100 ft. tape line serves 
in the measurements of all the successive footprints. The middle line 
is assumed as being the line of motion of the horse's center of gravity, 
around which all weight and motion is equally distributed. In a square 
gait, therefore, we should have the position of the feet on either side 
at equal distances from this line of reference. Any deviation would 
argue a certain deficiency or a bad habit of the gait. Such a wrong 
direction of motion may be due to some structural fault or to some 
temporary impediment caused by faulty shoeing. In either case a 
remedy may correct an irregular gait. Much can be learned merely 
by an inspection of the tracks thus referred to the middle line. 
Whether much figuring is done or not, some idea at least may be 
gained from the positions of the feet. Of course, the presumption here 
is that the trial so made did proceed in a straight, or nearly straight, 
line. The speed of a horse is most efficient in straight lines. 

An irregular position of one or more feet can be readily detected 
and will indicate the possible remedy for a better direction or position 
of same. If not convenient, the figuring on these positions, as given 
later on in the fourth chapter, may be omitted and notes could be made 
Imerely from the inspection by eye. 

As to the use of the tape line, there is need of a little more work. 
The simpler features of such measurements are given again in Chapter 
X. Suffice it to say here that the tape line should be applied until we 



4 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

have either ten or twenty strides on record. It is not one individual 
stride that will show any deficiency, but it is rather the averages of the 
various distances between the tracks that can give us a truthful ac- 
count of a certain manner of gait. 

First, there is the stride, or the distance between the two contacts 
at the toe of one and the same foot. Then there is the distance be- 
tween the two feet that move together. This should be the same for 
both sides in a square gait. Again, there is the distance between one 
fore foot and the opposite one, or between one hind and its opposite 
mate. In a square gait these also are alike or nearly so. Sometimes 
a horse has a habit to extend one foot ahead of the other, in which 
case the hind that moves with that fore will also extend ahead of its 
mate. The distances thus measured will give us, by means of aver- 
ages, a more trustworthy account of the manner of propulsion than 
the eye can possibly detect. 

The tape line used should be ioo ft. long and should be divided 
into 10 parts to the foot instead of 12 parts. This will facilitate 
figuring. A stride of 15 ft. and 3 inches, or 15J4 ft., will therefore ap- 
pear as 15.25 ft. This enables us to add, subtract, multiply and 
divide as we do with dollars and cents, which avoids all the trouble 
incident to the figuring in inches. Of course, the tape line will have to 
be staked a number of times to include 20 strides. The measurements 
should be put down in a continuous form in a notebook and the 
figuring done later ; or it may be done on the spot as the various feet 
are taken. The latter way, however, takes too long on the ground and 
is more difficult. In the trot the start is made from the toe of near 
fore foot, in the pace from the toe of the near hind foot. The toe is 
the beginning and end of each distance so marked. A little systematic 
arrangement of the continuous measurements will soon bring the mat- 
ter clearly before one's mind. Reference is again made to the tenth 
chapter, where a general outline is given. The reader may prefer to 
find out for himself what is meant by such measurements and how 
they are obtained before he is willing or able to follow the discussions 
in the intervening chapters. I believe, however, that the subject is not 
so difficult for anyone who has at all applied himself to the study of 



Wanted — A Square Gait 5 

equine locomotion and balance. I would like to have the reader prove 
to himself, by his own trials, that I am not trying to set up any par- 
ticular theory regarding the motion of the horse, but that definite data 
of this sort give the best foundation for practical results and that there 
is a practical value to the investigation here offered. Many a reader 
may, however, turn from the various demonstrations as being too in- 
tricate and go back to the chance of hitting upon a lucky combination 
of circumstances. He may possess intuition or the knack of doing 
things without knowing the reason why. Some men have that insight 
and strike the right thing. Sometimes the reward comes to him who 
waits — long enough. Most of us, however, are not gifted that way 
and for all of us it seems better and safer to hew and saw timber by 
lines and figures. 

What I intend to show in the course of this investigation is that 
irregular extensions of the legs, which mainly cause a faulty gait and 
loss of speed, can be equalized again by means of a different adjust- 
ment of shoes, such as weight, length and angle of hoof, and the shape 
of the shoe. Sjuch unequal extensions must, however, be established 
from general averages and not from a few casual measurements. We 
should, therefore, make a trial for such measurements of at least ten 
strides, if not twenty, which will show the defects even better. The 
average of any of such distances is the sum of those distances divided 
by the number of times such distances were taken or computed. Any 
one of these distances may vary considerably from any other, but the 
average must show any peculiarity of gait. 

These requirements may offer some difficulties at first, but a little 
familiarity with the positions of the feet on the ground will soon make 
matters clear. Special note books, such as I have used, will be pre- 
pared and offered at a reasonable price to those who may want to take 
up this matter with horses of their own. 

This book will show in various cases the effects of weight and 
shape of shoe, of toeweights, of the angle of foot and of the length of 
toe. The combinations possible between these factors are almost num- 
berless, and trainers may succeed better than I have in making a proper 
combination on suggestions herein given. The general deductions 



6 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

from this investigation may briefly, though incompletely, be summar- 
ized as follows: 

Mere weight of shoe in front will increase action rather than ex- 
tension, mere* weight behind will increase extension rather than action. 
The shape of the shoe, of course, will in either case modify both action 
and extension. A high heel or a long toe will, again, modify the effects 
of both weight and shape of shoe, the high heel by itself causing a 
"pointing back" and the long toe by itself causing a "pointing for- 
ward." Again, a longer or higher foot — both at toe and heel — will 
act as a check in front to that foot and will be a lever for the greater 
extension of its opposite mate. Injury to the front leg by concussion 
is often due to such slightly longer foot. The greater the speed, the 
greater the effect of any small difference between the fore or the hind 
feet. Again, a longer foot behind increases extension and will put a 
strain on its opposite mate through the latter's forced backward ex- 
tension. Skipping and running behind may have this difference for a 
cause, though unequal lengths of toes or angles of feet may also be at 
fault. 

In the experiments I have tried to show that inequality of weight,, 
angle or toe may at times become necessary to effect a square gait. 
Such remedies may be temporary or permanent, according to whether 
the irregular gait is due to an acquired habit or to some structural 
fault. Some consideration will also be ,given to the extensions of the 
legs around the turns of the track, as well as to the effects of uphill 
and downhill grades on the locomotion of the horse. 

I have not had much of a choice of subjects. Some were good 
and others indifferent horses. Some horses, again, were not amenable 
to treatment for speed development, but nearly all of them could be 
made to acquire a square gait while at their greatest speed. The 
breeding of the horses given, wherever noted, should not be construed 
as a reflection on family faults, and is only meant to show that the 
subjects were trotting-bred. Each horse should be treated as an in- 
dividual by this method, because each has faults in a different com- 
bination with the whole make-up of the horse. 

To set forth the subject as clearly as possible it was necessary to 



Wanted — A Square Gait 7 

present many illustrations and diagrams. The reader may have some 
difficulty in understanding them, but a greater familiarity with the 
nature of the motion of the horse, according to the simple plan out- 
lined above and in Chapter X, will soon enable him to overcome such 
apparent difficulties. Shoeing and balancing is a difficult subject at 
best and requires TIME as a PRIME CONDITION to bring about 
any satisfactory result at all. By means of this method and with a 
little perseverance the particular gait of each individual horse may be 
ascertained, and from such definite data it will not be so very difficult 
to follow a plan of shoeing that will make the subject stick to a 
SQUARE GAIT. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE TRACKS AND MOTION OF THE FEET. 



We have in the horse at motion five moving points, namely, the 
four feet, which strike the .ground and thereby cause propulsion, and 
the center of gravity, around which his weight is equally distributed. 
This latter invisible point lies in a plane bisecting, or cutting into two 
equal halves, the horse at right angles with or vertical to the ground 
plane. We think of this center of gravity being somewhere in the 
forequarter of the horse about midway in the girth region. 

No matter what the action of the legs may be, whether high or 
low, the motion of the horse is the most perfect and graceful when this 
center of gravity is freest from up and down or side to side move- 
ments. It is most pleasing to the eye and most effective in point 
of speed when this center of gravity keeps in a practically straight 
line, and the motion of the legs is most economical of force and 
hence beautiful, when, looked at vertically from behind or in front, 
they proceed in nearly straight lines, and when even the curves of their 
action, looked at from the side, are all four of nearly the same mag- 
nitude and of the least elevation. In other words, the ideal trot should 
proceed from straight movements and nearly equal elevations of the 
four feet. Therefore, when all force of motion is directed forward 
and shows the least deviation from straight lines we must of necessity 
have the best results in speed with the least expenditure of energy. 

The lines of motion of the four feet must therefore be parallel 
to the line described by the center of gravity, and must, moreover, be 
at equal distances from it on each side. The vertical plane containing 
the center of gravity will meet or intersect the ground plane midway 
between the lines described by the feet. This center line I have called 
the median line and for practical purposes it can be located midway 

8 



Tracks and Motion of the Feet 9. 

between the wheels of the vehicle drawn (see Fig. 1). We shall see 
later on that the distances on either side of line M N are not always 
alike and that, moreover, the four feet describe four lines instead of 
only two. Fig. 1 represents an illustration of the ideal line trot. 

Ft Or. 2 . 



FIOJ 

A 'A' C 



a 



n 



o 



n 



B N D 

A a ■ Lines of fee/- 
on nearside 

C D s Lints of feet 
on off side 

ff N ' median line. 



n 



m 



\ 



t) 



n 







h 



\ 



ft 



c 



O = fore foot 
Cl = hind foot 
M /v-- median line 



Furthermore, the actions of the legs, or rather their extension, 
must be like that of a pendulum swinging backward and forward to 
the same extent. This equal extension from an imaginary plumb line 
through the middle of leg insures the requisite regularity of gait, 



IO 



ait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



rhythm of the fall of feet, and harmony between hind and front ex- 
tremities. Any deviation from the above lines of action will be due 
either to a natural or to an acquired or accidental fault in the structure 
of the legs or feet. These deviations will enter largely into this in- 
vestigation, because most horses have some structural faults to over- 
come in their effort at speed. The correction of such faults, wherever 
possible, constitutes largely what is called "balancing." 

We come now to the consideration of the imprints or tracks left 
on the ground by the trotter at speed. Fig. 2 will show the relative 
position of fore and hind feet of a horse going at about a 2 130 gait. 
Roughly estimated, we have here a stride of 16 ft., with about 3 ft. 
between the diagonal or correlated feet which move together, and 
with about 5 ft. as the distance of hind over fore, or overstep. The 

M 



/ 


^ > 


k 


> 


\ > 


< 


no 


cm 








A/ 


Fit 


'i.3. 



small brackets show the diagonal or correlated feet and the longer 
brackets the oversteps. Ordinarily this is the notation, or order of 
succession, of the four moving feet as they strike the ground. The 
distance between the feet is intentionally much exaggerated to show 
the lines of motion on each side. As a rule the distance between the 
fore, measured from the middle of frogs, is from 2 to 4 inches, and 
the distance between the hind probably averages from 4 to 7 inches. 
Now and then we strike a line trotter whose lines of motion of fore 
and of hind are nearly coincident. It is safe to say that in nearly all 
trotters the hind feet spread more than the fore. This is no doubt due 
to the greater mobility of the hind, as well as to the probability .of 
their obtaining a better hold of ground by spreading somewhat. In 
no case of a fast trotter do we find an extreme outside position of hind 
as in Fig. 3. No doubt the larger spread of hind is also due to a pos- 



Tracks and Motion of the Feet 



1 1 



sible interference of hind with fore at I in Fig. 4, A and B, and 
the endeavor to avoid such. In A we have a knee-hitter and in B a 




= hi not -.= 



F/&.4'. 



3 







Pi- hi n J 

hi / 

= fore - 



C\-hmcf 

F10 S 



paddler. The curves of motion of hind are excessive in this instance 
merely to show the tendency to spread and the point of possible con- 
tact. In the approximate line trot we are likely to have the same slight 



Vz^ 



F/0 6. 



contact, as at I in Fig. 5, if the length of the animal does not counter- 
act such contract, as in I in Fig. 6, where the hind cannot cross the 
path of the fore except after the fore has preceded it. Such an action 



12 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

is more likely to be found in the line trot, which we must assume as 
being the ideal locomotion. 

All our investigations of such motion, whose record is left on 
the ground, should be made on an even surface of such a nature as 
the tracks of this country present. The ground should be harrowed 
or raked by hand, leaving a surface of fine loose earth on top, just as 
a fast and safe track is generally kept. 

We must base such investigations on this even surface so that un- 
evenness of gait is not due to roughness of ground, but to the causes 
which we wish to ascertain. Ordinarily the greater the distance meas- 
ured the better will be the results, but all the way from 10 to 20 strides 
will show the ( gait well enough. Horses at a fair speed and according 
to the nature of the gait will stride from 16 to 21 feet with each leg 
as they fly through the air from one imprint to the next. • I have al- 
ways taken 20 strides as my basis of calculations, because, firstly, the 
distance is long enough to show repetition of faults, or rather the varia- 
tions from the average ; and, secondly, because the simple decimal num- 
ber is easy to divide with in the calculations. We shall, therefore, re- 
quire a stretch of from 360 to 420 ft. 

The second important requirement of such an investigation is an 
even rate of going when trotting over this stretch with the horse at 
speed. The line so taken should also be as straight as possible ; but 
ordinarily both these requirements are fulfilled because of the nature 
of the trial, which is but a piece out of a quarter or half mile. We 
may safely assume that if the speed is not uniform or the line straight, 
this is due to the very causes we intend to investigate. Averages and 
variations tell a truthful tale just the same. 

Let us imagine that all these preliminary conditions are estab- 
lished and we look at the tracks of the horse just driven over that 
piece of ground. • 

There will be the record on the ground as given in Fig. 2. We 
know that in the trot two diagonally opposite feet move at the same 
time. Let us call them the correlated feet, because of their similar 
extension and action at the same time. In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 we have 
these correlated feet at rest, in a slow walk and in a trot. The fall of 



Tracks and Motion of the Feet 



these feet must occur at the same time ; that is, one fore and one hind 
should touch the ground at the same time. This is eminently so in 
the true trot and pace. Nor should there be any accent on the fall of 
one pair more than on the other. In order to bring about this regu- 
larity the distance of one fore from the other and of one hind from 
the other, should be the same ; that is, the extension of all four should 
be equal. And if this is so, then the two distances between the corre- 
lated feet should be the same. In fact, it will be found that the funda- 
mental principle of the square trot is the equal distance between these 




F/O. 



diagonally opposite feet. The same principle holds good with the dis- 
tance between the lateral feet, or feet on the two sides of the pacer. 
These also strike the ground at the same time and must be equally 
separated for even action and extension. 

In Figs. 10, ii and 12 we shall take a brief look at the positions 
of the pacer when at rest, in a slow walk and at speed. What 
is true of the trotter's locomotion is also true of that of the pacer, with 
some slight modifications. A line pace is not generally spoken of as 
often as a line trot, but what holds good of lost motion in curves in 
one gait is also true in the other, and the danger point of interference 
is similar. As in the trot the hind foot is likely to interfere with the 



14 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

fore foot, but on the opposite side as it passes it in the air at about I 



o 



n 



0) 



n 



FlOr. 10 



CD 



n 



o 



n 



FIG. II 



CD 



n 



o 



n 

7ft 12. 



o 

i •■ 



A 



: 



o 



4 

Fig. /2." 



in Fig. I2A. This constitutes "cross-firing" in the pacer. As in the trot 
the "overstep" was the overlap of' one pair of correlated feet over the 



Tracks and Motion of the Feet 



15 



other pair, so also in the pace there is a distance of opposite pair of 
feet as indicated by the brackets in Fig. 12 a. 

And again, as in the trot, these distances between the pairs of 
lateral feet, or the extension on one side and on the other, should be 
equal ; but we shall see later on that in either gait the extension on 
one side may exceed that on the other a little, because of the habit of 
horses to relieve themselves under great exertion by placing one foot 
ahead of the other. We shall also find that .generally in the pace the 
fore feet are apt to spread farther apart than the hind and the ten- 
dency of the lines of motion is given in Fig. 13. The line pace, how- 
ever, constitutes the standard to judge by. 

We can, therefore, assert that the two distances between the corre- 
lated feet on both sides should be the same in both the trot and the 



M 



rrrr 

FIG. 



13 



N 



pace. We also have seen that there is a possible interference of hind 
w r ith fore as the pairs of correlated feet pass each other in midair, and 
that, inasmuch as any curves in the locomotion of either gait tend to 
loss of time and energy, there is a line trot as well as a line pace as the 
most economic form of propulsion as far as time and energy is con- 
cerned. Judged by these standards of gait, any locomotion deviating 
largely from them is faulty because it produces a certain amount of 
"lost motion," or motion to the sides, with all the dangers of interfer- 
ence. 

Such must be the standards, but where faulty action accordingly 
exists there may be some compensations that offset these faults. On 
the whole, nature has a wonderful way of making amends for de- 
ficiencies in her creations of the animal as well as the human family. 



1 6 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

She counterbalances a weak structure by a correspondingly larger de- 
velopment elsewhere. In other words, we may find a compensation or 
an offset in hind gait for whatever may be out of the ordinary with 
the fore action, and vice versa. 

A phenomenon like Lou Dillon can give free play and action to 
her hind legs by a peculiar habit of crossing over with fore. At first 
this seems excessive and impossible, but her wonderful speed is that 
of a phenomenon. Later on we shall analyze her peculiar gait. Other 
great trotters may have similar habits of motion ; but we cannot judge 
the good ordinary trotter by a phenomenon, and it is best to take the 
locomotion of the majority of trotters as a standard form in estab- 
lishing the faults and shortcomings of gait. Speed is born with some 
horses; it is like genius — everything else adjusts itself to that gift 
That wonderful capacity to trot extremely fast with a frictionless gait 
evolves from the brain of the horse from early youth, and somehow 
the motion seems perfect, even though it should prove to be only a 
matter of compensations in the movements of legs. By compensation 
is meant that balance of development which counteracts weakness here 
by strength there in the make-up of the horse and in his motion. We 
find, for instance, a horse with very high action in front and low action 
behind, and yet he trots fast and true. The eye is not pleased, our 
sense of symmetry is sadly jarred and our task of balancing a trotter 
of that kind is truly great at times ; and yet we learn to accommo- 
date shoeing to that mode of action and will find it nearly impossible 
to equalize the action and to make it conform to that standard or ideal 
motion, where there is the least difference between the elevation of 
fore and hind and where the speed is attained without undue exertion. 
The test of measuring the extensions and computing the averages 
and variations — in other words, the analysis of such an apparently 
unequal action — will reveal the fact that the symmetry of extension is 
good and that the feet land squarely on the ground. 

This brings us to the ordinary way of judging the trotter's action 
by the eye, or by the side view while in motion. 

The human eye has always claimed great accuracy of observation 
concerning things in motion, but photography has shown how unre- 



Tracks and Motion of the Feet 1 7 

liable it is in its verdict. We are now quite familiar with the positions 
of feet and motion of legs as the camera has fixed them in their pro- 
gression while the horse is moving. At first it was unbelievable ; so 
set is the human mind on traditions. 

In the next chapter, therefore, we shall consider the action as 
seen from the side. 



CHAPTER III. 



ATTITUDE AND MOTION OF THE LEGS. 



Many years ago Dr. J. B. D. Stillman published a book on "The 
Horse in Motion", under the patronage of the. late Gov. Leland Stan- 
ford, the maker and owner of the once famous Palo Alto Farm. Here 
a very skilful photographer by the name of E. J. Muybridge took a 
series of photographs of animals in motion and succeeded in proving 
as unnatural all previously conceived ideas regarding the various atti- 
tudes of animals in motion. The photographs were a wonderful reve- 
lation, not only to the men engaged with horses, but also to the world 
at large and particularly to students and masters of art. The services 
that Muybridge rendered to the cause of the horse and of art can never 
be overestimated, for they lie at the very foundation of a correct un- 
derstanding of animal motion. It was in these experiments that the 
strides of the moving horse was first measured and roughly stated for 
each horse, and this fact, together with David Roberge's sound prin- 
ciples of "pointing," first suggested the present analysis of the trot 
and pace. It seemed as if the record left on the ground by the tracks 
of each foot might be a sort of photograph of his mode of propulsion. 
Puzzling as the idea appeared to the writer some ten years ago, it 
gained in importance and interest as case after case was subjected to 
such an investigation. Before considering this method we have stilf 
to look into the motion of the legs, such as photography was able to 
present. 

We have in the horse five moving points, namely, his four feet 
and the center of gravity situated in his body in a plane passing length- 
wise through the middle of the body, this plane being at right angles 
with or perpendicular to the ground plane or surface. This center of 
gravity acts as a pivot of locomotion around which weight is equally 

18 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 



*9 



distributed and upheld. The motion of the horse is most perfect 
and graceful when this center of gravity is freest from up and 
down or side to side movements. It is most pleasing to the eye 
and most effective in point of speed when this center of gravity keeps 
in a practical straight line ; and the motion of the legs is most 
beautiful and most economical of force when, looked at vertically 
from behind or in front, it proceeds in nearly straight lines and when 

Fib. 1+ 

O E 



C= centre of gravity 

AD&BE = lines of 

motion of feet. 



p 




c 


' / 
/ // 
/ / / 
/ / ' 
/ / ' 
/ / 

/ / 

/ / 


V 

\ s 
, \ > 

\ \ V 

\ \ \ 

> \ x 
v \ N 

\ \ 


A n 5 

FIG. 

F 


/? H T Q 

15 



D E, plane of motion of fixed end of pendulum P F. 

A B, ground plane. 

P M, P N, equal forward and backward extension 01 
swing. 

P, point in shoulder or hip at which legs may be pre- 
sumed to be pivoted like a pendulum. 

Dotted lines, variations from equal extensions. 



even the curve of its elevation, looked at from the side, is not ex- 
cessive, but presents a natural height for the speed shown. 

Therefore, when all the force of motion is directed forward and 
shows the least deviation from a straight line horizontally and no ex- 
cessive curves vertically, we must of necessity have the very best re- 
sult in speed with the least expenditure of energy. The lines of motion 
of the four legs must therefore be parallel to the line described by this 
central point in the body, called the center of gravity (see Fig. 14), 
and must, moreover, be equi-distant from it on each side ; and, further- 



20 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

more, must the action of the legs be like that of a pendulum swinging 
backward as far as forward, and thus bring about the regularity and 
rhythm of hoof-beats and the harmony of extensions (see Figs. 15 
and 16.) 

To illustrate the above principles, which ought to constitute the 
perfect gait of the trotter and the pacer, let us look at Fig. 16. Here is 
the profile view of a horse at rest in an ideal attitude, namely, where 
the legs stand perpendicularly under the body of the subject. 

Vertical lines from the heels H' and H of both fore and hind 
(Fig. 16) will constitute the pendulums of legs at rest, having their 




M H T N M' H' F N' 

A B C D E F, articulation of fore part. LPORST, articulation of hind part. 
P, P', origin or pivot of motion. P' M', P' N', extensions of fore legs. 
P M, P N, extensions of hind legs. G, approximate location of center of 
gravity. 

respective pivots of motion P' and P in the shoulder articulation and 
in the buttock joint as given in Fig. 16. Such a vertical line runs 
down the middle of fore legs and passes along front line of cannon 
bone of hind legs. A further test of the correct attitude of hind legs 
is a vertical line dropped from end of buttock, and this line will coin- 
cide with oack outline of hind cannon bone. P' M' and P' N', as well 
as P M and P N, exemplify the even extension of legs as they stride 
over ground. Fig. 16 is meant to show an ideal attitude with ideal 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 



21 



extensions and general perfect articulations of the fore and hind parts 
of the horse. 

Theoretical as it may seem, such attitudes are by no means rare 
and the pictures of Sweet Marie 2 :02 and of Sonoma Girl 2.05%. (Figs. 
66 and 78), two shining lights of California, illustrate this point to a 
remarkable degree. The firmness and readiness of such a position of 
legs must impress every horseman. 

It must be left to the eye, more or less, if the motion of the legs, 
forward and backward, be equal, or if, in other words, they swing pen- 
dulum fashion or with equal extension. The rule of "pointing" as ap- 




plied to motion will always hold true. For the fore legs and hind legs 
there are in each case two faulty positions as given in Figs. 17 and 18. 
Positions A, A stand for the normal and E, B for pointing in and 
C, C for pointing out. What the swing of each leg will be when in 
motion can be readily observed and is indicated in Fig. 15 ; and what 
can be done to overcome the faulty tendencies, if a remedy be possible, 
will be shown later. 

There is no doubt but that such faulty tendencies either in fore 
or in hind legs may occur in subjects of great speed, for the efficiency 
and energy of the horse, both in conformation and in motion, is largely 
the result of proper compensations ; that is, one deficiency is often 
counterbalanced or entirely removed by a greater development else- 



22 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



where. The faulty angularity of the joints may sometimes be counter- 
acted by powerful muscles, tendons, etc. After all, the results that 
we must try to reach must show a harmony of motion, action and ex- 
tension, or, in other words, a proper balance. Balance, as we shall see 
all along this investigation, is but a stuply of compensations for the 
defects as they generally exist in even the best trotters and pacers. 
The great ones of these are to the manner born, like genius, but a great 
many more are made by the patience and ingenuity of trainer and 
shoer combined, and it is the purpose of this book to aid both in that 
accomplishment. 




Having considered the attitudes of "pointing", as well as the ex- 
tension of legs arising therefrom, we naturally come now to the eleva- 
tion of the feet or action of the legs. The action is effected on curved 
lines of various magnitudes. As a rule, the action of fore is greater 
than that of hind legs. The standard or ideal action should show an 
approximate equality between the two extremities ; in other words, that 
action will show the most harmony of motion in which the elevation of 
the hock action will be as high or nearly as high as the knee action. The 
greater power of flexion of knee over that of hock will always pre- 
vent the elevation of the hind feet from being greater than that of the 
fore feet. On the other hand, the hind leg, being more movable or more 
loosely hung than fore and at an opposite angle of flexion from that 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 2$ 

of the fore leg, is apt to reach forward with greater ease than fore leg. 
Hence we shall see later that to prevent interference between the ex- 
tremities it is sometimes as necessary to decrease the extension of 
hind as it is to increase the extension of fore; in other words, to 
equalize the hock and knee action. Such, it seems, were the endeavors 
and the results of Palo Alto Farm and of the Electioneer family of 
horses. It is, in fact, a very reasonable and sensible view to take 
of the action and gait of the trotter. 

It may be of interest to state that increasing the action of one 
extremity by one means or another tends to decrease the action of the 
other extremity. If by toe-weight or heavy shoes we effect greater 
folding of fore legs and consequent higher elevation of feet, we seem 
to create a tendency in hind to remain closer to the ground ; and, vice 
versa, if by heavy shoes and calks or squared toes we effect the greater 
action of hind and consequent greater elevation of feet, we seem to 
diminish the action of fore legs or elevation of their feet. 

The fore legs seem to have the mission of props to keep the horse 
from falling and the hind feet are meant as the great propellers when 
at speed. When we consider the forward angularity of hind limbs we 
can see how their tendency becomes one of forward action, while the 
backward angularity of fore limbs tends to a greater fold of the elbow 
and knee joints. In fact, though the hind legs are hung more loosely 
they are not quite as well adapted for high elevation ; while the fore 
legs, more firmly or stiffly set in forequarters, are compensated there- 
for by a .greater ability to fold or bend. Photography has proved that 
the fore legs also act as propellers, and the evidences of the tracks on 
ground will prove as much ; and in a general way it may be said that 
the action of the hind is from one-half to two-thirds of that of the 
fore. The less the difference in action between the two extremities 
the more harmonious and regular will be the entire motion of the 
horse at speed. 

As mentioned before, Muybridge first demonstrated by his instan- 
taneous photographs at Palo Alto Farm that the various positions of 
the horse in motion were totally different from accepted beliefs ; and it 
is well worth while to recall his results. I would, therefore, like to 



24 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

present to the reader a few outlines of such series of pictures in order 
to enable him to judge for himself of the motion of the trotter; but 
the main purpose of doing so is to show the curves of elevation or 
action of fore and hind legs. These deductions are my own plotting 
of the various points in motion. By connecting these points with the 
intermediate line or curve of motion we arrive at a presentation of the 
line of motion, called the trajectory. 

It is appropriate to quote Dr. Stillman in his "The Horse in 
iMotion," on the elevation of the horse while in motion. 

"In the slow trot the action of the muscles is not sustained and 
the bony levers are allowed to resume their normal angles. At each 
half stride the center of gravity regains nearly, if not quite, its eleva- 
tion; but as the horse increases his speed he lowers the center of 
gravity; and in so doing enables the extremities to reach farther and 
sustain the weight longer, while the rapidity of the movement of the 
body gives it a momentum that forces the suspensory ligaments to 
yield and the angles to close to the requisite degree to prevent to alter- 
native of the deflection of the trajectory or the crushing of the limb ; 
and if measurement be taken of the height of the horse at different 
portions of the stride it will be found that it is least when it would 
'seem that it should be greatest ; that is, when it passes the perpendicu- 
lar, or that point where the supporting limbs are shortest." 

In Fig. 19 we get the general idea of the elevation and exten- 
sion of the trajectory or curve of motion which the foot of the horse 
takes from one contact of ground to the next. We assume here that 
the greater the elevation the greater the extension. 

This illustration serves to show the accepted belief about exten- 
sion of feet or legs ; that is, the higher the elevation the greater the ex- 
tension. In a measure this is true, if other conditions, such as muscu- 
lar development, "pointing" and manner of shoeing, do not counteract 
it. 

But from proofs by instantaneous photography and from actual 
experience, as will be shown in later chapters, it is generally true 
that the higher the elevation of action the less will be the extension. 
Figs. 20 and 21 will serve to illustrate the point on this subject. With 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 



25 



higher knee folding we are likely to have a shorter extension from A B 
to A C ; and with the high action of hock joint we are likely to see 
a backward reach and a lessening of forward extension from A C to 
A B, as seen in Fig. 21. 

There is a general belief that extension proper is affected by 
and concerns only the fore legs. The use of weights is too often 




F/e 19 




F/o. 2/ 



resorted to as a means of extension ; but the effect is really not quite 
what it is claimed to be, as we shall see later on. And, furthermore, 
I hope to prove to the reader that the proper extension of fore feet 
depends a great deal on the proper and equal swing of hind legs and 
especially on the proper backward reach or propelling power of the 
hind legs. 

We are not dealing with a biped but with a four-footed animal, 
and the attempt at regulating extension or stride or quick and slow 



26 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

action should always take into consideration the movements of the hind 
legs as well. Horses move in all sorts of ways, it is true, and have 
speed, but many would not come up to the standard when speed and 
quality of gait are to be transmitted to their next generation without a 
step backward in their development. There are many freaks and many 
queer examples of compensations for deficiencies, but all of these are 
not proper factors for the greater evolution of the trotter and the 
pacer. We must have ideals regarding their gait as well as their speed. 
Mere speed can not, and in time will not, be the only criterion of their 
fitness as progenitors. 

By kind permission of the publishers I offer my own outlines of 
pictures taken by E. J. Muybridge thirty years ago, as found in that 
excellent work "The Horse in Motion," by Dr. J. D. B. Stillman, pub- 
lished many years ago by Ticknor & Co. of Boston. The publishers 
have still a few copies on hand and it is a pity to think that all plates 
have been destroyed and the work is out of print. 

The tracings here offered are those of the horses Occident 2:16^, 
Elaine 2:20, Edgerton (Abe Edgington) 2:2^/4 and Clay 2:25, all 
owned by the once famous Palo Alto Farm some thirty years ago ; but 
the lessons from the motions of these four subjects will remain ever 
new even though we have progressed in the production of speed. 

These four horses are different in action and gait and will serve 
as types for similar cases in these days. It is well worth while to 
recall this first brilliant and bold attempt to investigate this intricate 
subject. A good deal of what is thus presented may be well known 
to many, but it will bear repetition in conjunction with my subject. 

The great usefulness of that unique presentation of the consecu- 
tive positions of the same horse in motion renders it invaluable for the 
student of gait. Nothing like it has ever since been attempted so far 
as I could find out. And the further fact that the ground line over 
which those horses trotted was divided into equal divisions has enabled 
me to also locate the consecutive positions of the feet and by connecting 
these points to trace the curves of motion, or the trajectories of fore 
and hind feet. Let me first outline to the reader the apparent 
characteristics of the gaits of these four horses. 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 27 

It is said that Occident was found in the streets of San Fran- 




82 






I" 



^ * 









* -V 



is 



§ 



Cisco pulling a butcher's cart, just as recently the trotter Berico, 
2:0934, appears to be a graduate from the hard school of delivery 



28 . Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

horses. Such instances often give rise to the assertion that a real 
trotter will trot at any time under any conditions, no matter how his 
feet are trimmed or what shoes he wears. It is the call of the gambler 
who hits upon a lucky combination and. mocks all natural laws. Trot- 
ters are discovered everywhere by their action and their gameness, but 
they are not brought to perfection under the system of chance. 

In Fig. 22 are given the outlines of Occident in motion with a 
stride of 17 ft. 9 in. There will also be seen the elevation of fore 
and hind feet taken at point of toe and the comparative action or eleva- 
tion of knee and hock taken at the point of these joints. These curves 
or trajectories are taken from the pictures directly, the various points in 
the positions being connected by a continuous curve. In the case 
of fore and hind feet these curves have been enlarged to bring out 
the outlines better ; but in knee and hock action the lines of motion 
follow the pictures exactly and are applicable to them. 

Occident stands apparently as a type of the resolute trotter, with 
much display of action, especially in front, his hind action being a 
little out of proportion with front action. The forward reach of fore 
legs is of the impressive kind which tends to greater extension. When 
folding the knee there is no sudden drop of foot but a bold unfolding 
of that joint and a straight reach forward with foot. The path of feet 
in the illustration will prove this; and yet he lacks the goose paddle 
out behind which gives the trotter his ability to hurl himself forward. 
There is a good upward and forward action of hind legs but also a 
little "pointing" forward or trotting under behind. All in all, Occident 
would stand for the ordinary resolute trotter of to-day with the usual 
fault of inequality of fore and hind action. 

Occident was by Doc 449 and was a star at the time when in 1873 
he took his record. The yearly Occident stake for three year olds is 
aptly named after him for his gameness and courage. 

We now come to the so called Electioneer trotter in Elaine 2 :20, 
by Messenger Duroc out of Green Mountain Maid, the dam of old Elec- 
tioneer. Here we have that peculiar and nearly equal extension for- 
ward and backward of the fore and hind legs. There is a nearer 
approach of elevation between the two extremities. The display of 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 



29 



action in front is not so impressive as with Occident, but the extension 
is as good. Behind we have the strong propulsion by means of the 
goose paddle backwards. The lifting of hind feet is more sudden and 




higher than with Occident, and because the fore feet are not so greatly 
elevated we have a more equalized action and extension at the two 
extremities. 



3<3 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

Though often called a "low" gait it is not in reality so; but there 
is no waste of energy in excessive elevation or extension of the feet, 
hence it strikes the eye as being a gait without loss of motion or a gait 
with some reserve force back of it. All in all, it is the best form of 
standard gait for the trotter in my opinion, because of those character- 
istics. 

In Fig. 2J I have endeavored to compare the relative elevation of 
knee and hock joints and their rotations. The lines enclosing the 
hock action are the limits of elevation of knee action. Generally the 
hock joint stands higher than the knee joint, and generally, and in 
spite of that fact, the limit of hock action does not equal that of the 
knee. In the mare Elaine, however, it does so nearly ; and this is the 
point at issue with evenly divided action and extension. It is this 
lower action or elevation in front and the more than ordinary elevation 
behind that causes the impression of a "low" or creeping gait, when in 
fact it is a gait of exceptional value for speed, with a view to sound- 
ness, a free head and a sure footing. 

The third object of comparison is a horse called Edgerton in 
the book "The Horse in Motion," but which was probably Abe 
Edgington instead, because on the photograph of Muyb ridge therein 
produced he is shown as a gray gelding, which Abe Edgington was. 
He was by Stockbridge Chief Jr., and had a record of 2:23^, got 
in 1878. 

In studying his gait we arrive at the conclusion that he belongs 
to the more ordinary class of trotters, with only medium action and a 
tendency to stand under in front as well as behind, as was shown in 
Figs. 17 and 18 under B. It may be noted in the illustration how hind 
foot passes on outside of fore, as in the second position. This is a 
faulty way of going at great speed ; for to-day the "line trot", so well 
advocated by the owner of Palo Alto Farm, and so well exemplified in 
the Electioneer family, is the only rational trot whereby the horse can 
go fast and safe. By line trot is to be understood a way of moving 
hind leg in nearly the same path as the fore leg on the same side ; at 
any rate, the fore on that side must be out of the way for the hind 
when the latter reaches forward. In Edgington the folding of knee is 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 



31 



pretty fair, though the hock action is jerky ; that is, there is a sudden 
lifting followed by a drop to a low elevation of foot, giving the ap- 




- v 



^ « 



o 



.J5 



I 



§ 



>* 



pearance of a low hock action. The trajectories are evidence of such 
a gait, as we find it with the better class of trotters. 



32 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

In the study of Lou Dillon's gait we shall see that with her manner 
of propulsion the question of interference of hind with fore feet does 
not apparently cut any figure. For, inasmuch as the fore feet cross 
over each other, they are out of the way of the approaching hind at the 
critical moment. There is no "line trot" here, although the hind feet 
move in nearly straight lines; but the fore do not move in straight 
lines and effect their propulsion from the opposite side. 

The last of these series is Clay 2 125, by St. Clair, a short-coupled 
and rather leggy horse, with all the faults of gait which such a horse 
is apt to be guilty of. With a good deal less fold of knee than the 
previous trotter he has still more of a jerky and sudden elevation of 
hock action, due to the fact that his reaching backward with hind legs 
is very marked. This sudden elevation is followed by as decided a drop 
and he just pokes hind leg forward without any further effort to lift 
leg or foot. Being deficient in knee action, we see in Fig. 27 that knee 
and hock elevation are about the same in magnitude as those of Elaine. 
Being leggy and short-coupled and probably standing under in front 
and pointing forward with hind, he passes hind legs on outside of 
fore, much more so than Edgington, and this is a fault not tolerated 
to-day and one that never promises much speed or an even gait. 

Finally, there is an unknown pacer given whose gait is not of the 
best and lacks extension to show its characteristics at speed. It 
shows, however, the low elevation of hind feet, not only as compared 
with that of fore, but also by itself; and as a rule the pacing gait is 
of a more creeping nature behind than the trot is or ought to be, and 
in the lateral extension the hind feet are generally inside the lines of 
motion of the fore. This is the reverse from the lines of motion of the 
trotter and this closer approach of the hind adds to the tendency of 
their low elevation. 

This pacer has, like the trotter Clay, the fault of lifting his hind 
foot off the .ground before its correlated fore foot, which often tends 
toward single-footing, or at least to an uneven or rough gait. In 
Elaine, Occident and Edgington we notice the reverse, namely, that 
hind foot leaves the ground a trifle later than its forward mate. This 
is as it should be to insure an even or synchronous contact with the 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 33 

ground at the farthest point of extension forward. In the above 




three cases the fall of the two correlated feet or diagonal mates occurs 
at the same moment. The fore foot always describes a higher and 



34 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



therefore longer trajectory or path than the hind foot ; and therefore 
does this retarded action of hind not only cause a greater impulsion 
forward but also less interference with the fore on the same side and 




^ 









:< 




I 

a 

I 

pi 
w 
u 

< 

1 

«■ 
b© 



a more even action with its diagonal mate. In other words, it becomes 
apparent that the greatest fault in hind action of both trotter and pacer 
is its lack of backward extension, or, what amounts to the same thing, 
its excessive pointing forward or standing under with hind feet. 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 35 

In Fig. 2J appears a comparative schedule of the knee and hock 






.1 



<0 




t 









r 



36 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

action of the four above named trotters. It shows the difference of 
positions of both these joints as regards distance from the ground. 
In all cases the hock joint is located higher from the ground than the 
knee joint, which is a common observation with horses. 

In a later chapter the details of such comparative elevation are 
fully explained and illustrated. The scope of knee action is here indi- 
cated by the parallel lines enclosing the curves of hock action. From 
these plottings it may be seen that Elaine comes first in developed 
action in front and behind ; Edgington should be second for a similar 
reason, but he shows a somewhat less developed hock action with more 
forward than backward extension, together with a consequent inter- 
ference. Occident is a good third, even with his excessive knee action 
and low hock action, his gait being a sample of the endeavor to remove 
the fore feet from the interference with the hind feet by means of 
excessive action in front ; and lastly there is Clay, whose indifferent 
knee flexion but good hock action seem to cause trouble by speedy-cut- 
ting, for his hind feet are seen to pass the rather sluggish fore feet on 
the outside. This is a gait that can in no way be recommended, but 
the animal's conformation is largely at fault for that defective pro- 
pulsion. 

At the bottom of Fig. 27 I have endeavored to present the 
average of the movements above referred to, and from this the reader 
may get an idea of the comparative action in front and behind. These 
studies, when applied to actual cases, have always indicated that it is 
easy to increase the knee action or to decrease the hock action. These 
are the natural tendencies of the movements of these joints. Far more 
difficult it becomes to equalize the action of the two extremities ; that 
is, to increase the hock action and to decrease the knee action. As all 
trainers know, proper extension counts for more than action ; that is, 
proportionate reaching forward with the fore and backward with the 
hind legs is the secret of a regular and fast gait. Much attention has 
been given to increase the extension of fore and but little to the pro- 
pelling power of a well placed hind foot as it reaches backward in its 
last effort to fling the body forward. I shall touch upon this matter 
later on. 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 37 

There is one more comparison of action that deserves notice. It 





38 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

is that of the horse Abe Edgington (Edgerton) to sulky and to saddle, 
as given in Fig. 28. With the superimposed weight of a rider the 
action of knee decreases and that of hock increases in elevation. The 
hock joint by depression of weight is nearly on a level with knee joint 
and yet its elevation is as high as in the trial to sulky. But the most 
remarkable change in action is the sudden elevation of hind when 
leaving the ground, as given in the drawings of trajectories. A few 
positions of the horse in motion under saddle are also given in Fig. 29,. 
when the sudden elevation of hind feet becomes a fact to the eye, due 
to the greater backward reach or extension than there was visible in 
the trial to sulky, and with this backward action disappears the ten- 
dency to speedy cutting. The trotter clears or trots under the fore 
with his hind feet. The weight on the back prevents a pointing for- 






~ «7 '» n» z* 31 « a* f» <9 io ii « /» £ \s «5 fc i« a £J /♦ a A V> it ii'oi* & * *j w 



Abe Edgington to Saddle * Note backward atKon and extension 

Fi 5 .29 

ward of hind and seems to extend fore feet. There is an indication 
in this effect which points to a similar effect of letting down the head 
of a horse or of heavy shoes behind or shoes that will favor easy back- 
ward reach. This will be investigated in later chapters treating on the 
measurements of the gaits. 

In summing up the points of importance shown in these illustra- 
tions I beg to have the forbearance of the reader for the imperfec- 
tions of the drawings. They were prepared with all the care and skill 
at my command, but since the originals were not quite perfect the 
faults are not altogether of my own making. In the main and princi- 
pal features the presentations and plottings are correct; it is only in 
the fine outline and execution where they lack perfection. 

The points at issue are all directed to nearly equalize or balance 
the fore and hind actions. It is a well known fact that fore action 



Attitude and Motion of the Legs 39 

is always greater than hind action, but it may be apparent to the reader 
that it has been shown that there is an adjustment possible between 
these actions which will bring these two extremities into proper har- 
mony. The high cleaving of the air by the fore feet is pure loss of 
motion and energy; while the low, shuffling gait of hind feet shows a 
lack of energy well to be considered. The former seems to produce the 
latter manner of motion ; and the efforts toward a more perfect gait 
should be directed toward a lessening of forward action and an in- 
crease in the backward action of hind, whereby propulsion is effected 
and interference prevented. And, in fact, wherever an attempt has 
been made by me to bring that about there resulted a better and 
smoother gait and — as it should be — greater endurance and speed. 

It seems, therefore, advisable to set up a standard of action, and 
among those analyzed above Elaine's comes nearest to that standard. 
There are still many advocates for the gait which Occident exemplifies, 
but one cannot pass on it as nearly so perfect as Elaine's, though, of 
course, it is energetic and powerful and apparently promising of great 
speed. It is the manner of speed that a great many fair and good 
trotters have. 

The gait of Abe Edgington (or Edgerton) must be judged as 
somewhat faulty, but also as amenable to correction ; for when he was 
put under saddle his gait improved wonderfully. Here, then, seems to 
be a case that could be corrected and shod in such a manner that in 
time the faults would disappear. The trotter Clay presents a con- 
formation that would always balk every effort for improvement. Na- 
ture makes and mars trotters and pacers by a faulty conformation, even 
though the instinct to trot or pace is in the brain. The gait can be 
regulated and the speed improved up to a certain point, after which 
there will be a confusion of motion in spite of every effort. 

Bearing in mind these side views of the horses in motion we are 
enabled thereby to detect some deficiency of gait by the eye, and this 
will aid us to analyze the gait of any horse by the method which I pro- 
pose to explain in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER IV. 



RECORD OP THE TRACKS ON THE GROUND AND 
THE IMPORTANCE OF AVERAGES, 



With animals in motion we must ask either the camera or the 
tracks on the ground for the story of their gaits. What Muybridge, 
years ago, showed to an astonished world was the profile view of 
horses and other animals in all stages of motion. While the camera has 
thus given to the student the key to animal locomotion, it is not always 
practical to apply its revelations to every case. After having studied 
the principles of such exact knowledge as photography revealed, 
and leaving the eye to judge according to such facts, we shall dis- 
cover the actual condition of a gait only in the record left by the 
tracks on the ground. While "he who runs may not read" in this case, 
it may become convincing during the investigation that he who studies 
a little may certainly read the meaning of this record. 

Muybridge and Roberge have done a great deal to analyze and 
simplify the motion of the horse, but added to that knowledge should 
be the study of the tracks for each individual case. This recorded gait 
on the ground, when reduced to figures by means of the tape-line and 
by means of simple calculation for general averages and variations, 
will soon produce order out of chaos and give as clear an idea of the 
horse's action and extension as is possible to acquire. The main fea- 
tures of the measurements and calculations are not beyond the reach 
of any intelligent person, even if all the details of such an investigation 
as formulated in my small manual books are not fully carried out or 
computed. 

Many people make much of the so-called stride, or the step the 
horse takes with each leg. I want to say from the start that the stride 
for all four legs must be the same ; that is, the stride of a certain gait 

4o 



Record of the Tracks on tJie Ground 41 

is, say, 18 ft. That means that each leg strides that distance. One 
leg may vary more than another leg, but in the sum total the average 
for each leg's stride must be 18 ft., or else the horse will break into a 
run and cease trotting or pacing. To. get at the stride of a particular 
gait, or of any horse at any speed, we must, therefore, measure the 
whole distance of such a trial, and compute from this the stride of each 
leg. If for convenient calculation we choose 20 strides for each leg 
as sufficient to indicate peculiarities of gait, we have for the average 
this total of 20 strides divided by 80. This is the average stride for 
that horse at that particular gait. 

There are, however, irregularities of gait which are caused either 
by bad or indifferent shoeing or by a faulty anatomical structure in 
one or more limbs, such as a shorter leg, a club foot, etc. Such de- 
ficiencies in stride are found by this method to consist of variations 
in stride. The disturbing leg falls short of average stride, and when 
recovering lost ground exceeds such average. The absence of exces- 
sive variations in the strides has a great deal to do with the regularity 
and evenness of gait. Later on we shall see that the variation from 
average, in the fore and hind legs, has a different meaning respectively 
in fore or hind extremities. 

The variations lead us to the question of extension; for, where 
the variations are different between either the two fore or the two 
hind legs, there must of necessity be a different extension or placing 
forward of foot. With almost all trotters or pacers the same habit 
prevails as with the runner, and that is, one foot is preferably put a 
little ahead of the other in front ; but this extension of one fore ahead 
of the other has as a consequence the simultaneous extension of hind. 
In other words, an irregularity in front is likely to cause one behind, 
because of the intimate relation between fore and hind legs. In the 
trot it will be the hind foot of opposite side, and in the pace the hind 
foot of the same side. As the difference of extension between the hind 
legs becomes greater, the danger of interference with fore legs in- 
creases. Fig. 30 will illustrate the points here raised for the trot and 
Fig. 31 for the pace. If, for instance, in the trot, the fore foot A is 
with preference placed ahead of fore foot B, it follows that the hind 



42 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



foot D, moving with it at the same time, is placed ahead of the 
other hind foot C. If this were not the case and the diagonal feet 
did not reach the ground at the same time, the horse would not 
be trotting but single-footing or running. So in the pace, where A 
and C move together, and B and D, the hind foot C, moving with its 
lateral mate A, must be placed ahead of hind foot D. It must be 
noticed that Figs. 30 and 31 only indicate the tendency of such differ- 



M 



O 



n 



o 



n 



N 
Fin.30 



o 



cC\ 




(1° 



FI&.3I. 



ence of extension, as if the horse were pointing that way when at 
rest. In Figs. 32 and 33 we see the actual record of the tracks on the 
ground for the trot and the pace. Applying thereto the tendencies of 
unequal extension as indicated above, we shall find the actual position 
of feet as indicated by dotted outline of tracks. In the trot, Fig/ 32, 
we have a possible passing of hind foot D on outside of fore foot B 
(speedy cutting) as illustrated in the case of the horse Clay, Fig. 25. 
And in the pace, Fig. 33, we have a possible passing or interference 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



43 



(cross-firing) of hind foot C with fore foot B on the opposite side, as 
seen in the case of the pacer, Fig. 26. 

In the square trot as well as pace we often find a tolerably small 
difference of extension between fore and hind feet. The shifting from 
one foot to the other may now and then alternate, but if this difference 



cf\ 



b 




m° 



O* 



Fio.32\ 



'"o 



\ 



n 



o 



n 



Fig 33 







is small it becomes negligible in our investigations. We cannot pos- 
sibly insist on an absolutely pure and regular gait and must at all times 
allow for the condition of ground and the great effort for speed ; so 
that, when such a difference is only an inch or two, it need not alarm 
us, but when it becomes a foot or more there must be something wrong, 
as in a rough and irregular gait. 



44 Gait of the 'American Trotter and Pacer 

The ideal gait for the trot, as well as for the pace, lies in the 
words : equal extension of all four legs. Anything short of that may 
be classed as irregular and subject to a possible correction. 

All my endeavors to reduce these two gaits to a basis of purity 
have brought out certain points which will be demonstrated by various 
experiments. The very fact that these experiments were tried on dif- 
ferent subjects, and that the principles involved were applied and 
yielded definite and practical results, may (give the reader some idea 
of the usefulness of this investigation. It may strike the reader as 
a laborious process to establish the facts of a gait; but are not facts 
better than guess work? 

Balancing the horse in motion should be based on exact principles 
and these principles should be deducible from careful experiments. 
This is, to my mind, the only rational view to take of the matter. 

I anticipate criticism to the effect that this method of measurement 
is not practical. To be sure, it requires some actual work in the field 
and some mental effort at figuring; but the time so spent will. be far 
less than the time used up in endless, haphazard trials, with all the 
guesses and the errors of visual observation. 

This method is not given as a cure-all, by any means, but merely 
as a correct indicator of faults in gait. The certainty of exact meas- 
urements enables us to get at the facts in the case. When we once 
know the cause of disturbance, or have any indication of it, we can 
proceed at least with intelligence to correct that disturbing cause, if 
that be possible. No claim is set up either of a cure following post- 
haste on such a detection of a fault. Time is the most important ele- 
ment in correcting a faulty gait. It should be remembered that a 
change in shoeing is not immediately effective of good results, and that 
the effect of a previous shoeing or paring of hoof becomes part of the 
effect of the last shoeing and paring. For, the adjustment of muscles 
and tendons to such a change does not, without possible injury, occur 
on the spot. Hence the importance of a continual record of the treat- 
ment of the foot and its results. This means a steady progress and 
an enlightenment on the peculiarities of the subject's gait, such as hap- 
hazard guess-work can never accomplish. 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 45 

There is, however, a method of making some horses acquire a 
fair gait, outside of a definite plan of improvement. Many horse- 
shoers have pursued the same course, namely, that of fitting the hoof 
of the horse to the shoe that is supposed to improve the gait. By con- 
tinued application of a preconceived plan as to the needs of a horse for 
a good gait, the animal is supposed to adapt itself to these set require- 
ments. It is not always effective and smacks of the "root-hog-or-die" 
treatment. With a large expenditure of time, it often amounts to 
nothing but hope deferred and a blind perseverance. 

In thus defending a rational method to ascertain not only the con- 
ditions that exist but also those that are wished for in the improve- 
ment of gaits, I do not claim that in offering this method of analysis 
of gaits there goes with it a prompt and immediate remedy or recom- 
mendation of shoeing. I doff my hat to the skilful American farrier. 
He is bound to find a remedy when definitely told where the fault lies. 
He cannot, however, be expected to know the animal's gait or hit the 
right thing by guessing at it. 

Take, as an example, the instructive book on shoeing by William 
Russell. He has demonstrated in a general way the effects of certain 
shoes on the gait or manner of motion of the trotter and pacer. He 
insists that each case is separate from others and requires special treat- 
ment. This means that each case demands almost endless experiment- 
ing, with no assurance of knowing the reason why the final adjust- 
ment of balance is the correct one. Roberge followed him with a more 
reasonable theory by laying stress not so much on the make of the 
shoe as upon the shape of the hoof. While the making of complex 
shoes reflects highly on the art of shoeing and the ingenuity of the 
American farrier, the principle of controlling the motion by the shape 
of an ever growing hoof, and of thereby simplifying the shapes of 
shoes, carries with it more conviction. With full recognition of the 
eminent work done by these men, and for that matter by the men who 
follow their principles, there was to my mind a great need of a method 
to establish the facts of observation upon which they base their con- 
clusions. 

The instantaneous photographs of Muybridge and my plotting of 



46 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

those curves of motion of the feet, as found in the previous chapter, 
first proved to me the irregularity of such motion and the need of 
.ascertaining by means of general averages the variations of a gait. I 
found later on that the two eminent Frenchmen, Goubaux and Barrier, 
had ingeniously investigated the motion of the horse in their excellent 
work 'The Exterior of the Horse. " 

This helped and encouraged me in my investigations to find a 
method by which proper balance may be more easily found than by 
guess-work. Though shoeing may be considered an art, the proper 
correction of a faulty gait must be based on a proper analysis of that 
.gait. There may be an infinite variety of conditions and the relations 
between the four legs may be very intricate, yet there ought to be some 
logical deductions possible in each case, provided the actual facts are 
put down in black and white. From such a series of experiments 
I hope to give to the reader some simple generalizations. Should, how- 
ever, the reader still insist that each horse is a case by itself and doubt 
the general application of such generalizations, he can always, by this 
method at least, find the relative effect of each successive shoeing for 
that horse, and make the necessary changes to improve the gait of 
that particular animal. 

In looking at the tracks on the ground or the impressions left by 
the shoe, we must judge of their nature first by the actual contact with 
the soil. The ground over which a trial for this purpose is to be made 
should not only be harrowed, but also be hand-raked so as to present 
a reasonably smooth surface. A smooth, frictionless and easy gait, 
or that of a horse well balanced, should show even and firm impres- 
sions on the ground of the four feet, without any slip or concussion. 

Whenever there is any sliding or a marked hardening of soil at 
any point, and a repetition thereof, there is also an irregularity of gait 
and a difficulty of action. Notes should be made of such repeated con- 
cussions, because this shows a fact of a deranged action. 

Now then, our horse has just moved over such a prepared piece 
of ground, practically level, for a distance that should give us 20 
strides for each leg, as before mentioned. Let us then take a 100 ft. 
tape line and put its end-ring at the toe of near fore by means of a 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



47 



surveyor's pin. We pay it out to the end and place another pin at the 
ioo ft. mark. Going back to the start there is now to be recorded the 
■consecutive measurements of the four feet. By means of an ordinary 
small blank book ruled as in Fig. 34, these measurements can be put 
down quickly as we go along the line and take readings at the point of 

Fig. 34. 

Measurements of Tracks in Feet and Tenths of a Foot 

from Toe to Toe. 

Continuous Measurements starting with Near Fore* 





Fore 


Stride 


Hind 


Stride 




Fore 


Stride 


Hind 


Stride 


N Toe> 


> — 


6.40 


— 





201.60 


19-25 


207.60 


19.IO 


O 


9.70 


— • 


15-65 


— 


N 


211. 15 


1925 


217.25 


I9.I5 


N 


19.30 


19.30 


25.70 


19.30 


O 


220.75 


I9.I5 


226.75 


19- 15 


O 


28.75 


I9.05 


35. 


19-35 


N 


230.45 


19.30 


236.65 


19.40 


N 


38-05 


18.75 


44.70 


19- 


O 


240.05 


19.30 


246.30 


19-55 


O 


47-55 


18.80 


53-90 


18.90 


N 


249.60 


I9.I5 


256. 


19.35 


N 


57-45 


i9-4o V 


63.80 


19.10 





259.I5 


19.IO 


265.55 


19.25 


O 


66.95 


19.40 


73- 


19.10 


N 


268.90 


19.30 


275-35 


19-35 


N 


76.40 


18.95 


83.15 


19-35 





278.45 


19.30 


284.80 


19-25 


O 


86.15 


19.20 


92.30 


19.30 


N 


288.20 


19.30 


294-75 


19.40 


N 


95.5o 


19.10 


102.20 


19.05 


O 


297.95 


I9.50 


304.20 


19.40 


O 


105.45 


19.30 


in. 70 


19.40 


N 


307.50 


19.30 


3H- 


19-25 


N 


114.75 


19-25 


121.05 


18.85 





3I7.I5 


19.20 


323.55 


19-35 


O 


124.20 


18.75 


130.50 


18.80 


N 


326.80 


19.30 


333-35 


19.35 


N 


134. 


19-25 


140.50 


19-45 





33 6 -70 


19-55 


343-15 


19.60 





U3-45 


19-25 


149.90 


19.40 


N 


346.40 


19.60 


353.io 


19-75 


N 


I53-50 


19-50 


159-90 


19.40 


O 


356.20 


I9.50 


362.60 


19-45 


O 


163.20 


19-75 


169.10 


19.20 


N 


365.75 


19-35 


372.25 


19-15 


N 


172.55 


19-05 


179. 


19.10 





375-25 


I9.05 


381.60 


19. 





1S2.35 


I9-I5 


188.50 


19.40 


N 


384.60 


1S.85 


391-35 


19.10 


N 


191.90 


^9-35 


198.10 


19.10 


O 


394.40 


19.15 


400.75 


19-15 








N, 


near side 


; O, off side. 









toe of each foot. To make calculations easier I found the surveyor's 
tapeline more practical because it divides the foot into 10 parts. Deci- 
mal computations are more readily made and therefore their use recom- 
mends itself for this purpose. If the metrical system were established 
in this country it would simplify matters vastly by ridding calculations 
of their complex figuring. So likewise here, if we were to figure all 



4-S Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

these calculations by means of the twelve divisions to the foot, or actual 
inches, it would complicate matters and take more time. Decimal frac- 
tions of the foot are easily reduced to inches by multiplying by the 
figure 12) and one-half of a tenth of a foot would read : 0.05 ft. 

In all measurements so taken and in all distances so recorded the 
reader should bear in mind that such distances are always taken 
parallel to the motion of the horse, even though they are referred to 
as diagonal distances in some instances, in order to designate the 
points in question. 

Fig. 34 would ordinarily present two pages in an ordinary note 
book so prepared as indicated. We have to remember two things in 
recording these measurements, namely, the distinction between fore 
and hind and near and off side. The rest can' be done at any other time 
and place. In the trot the hind is ahead of the fore foot, these two 
being together on each side ; and in the pace the fore precedes the hind 
on each side, as given in Figs. 32 and 33. 

I present to the reader the gait of Lou Dillon 1 158^, which, 
through kindness of Mr. Budd Doble, I had a chance to take when the 
mare was under his excellent care at San Jose, Cal., in 1905. She was 
trotting well at the trial and was going at a 2 :n clip on the back stretch 
where the ground had been prepared for her. 

The page in Fig. 34 is divided into two main columns for fore 
and hind measurements and since tracks occur two on one side, the near 
and off side alternate in the columns. These are marked "n" and "o" 
en left side. Auxiliary columns for strides are given to start calcula- 
tions. The strides are easily computed by deducting a previous near 
fore measurement from a following near fore, or an off fore from an 
off fore ; and in the same manner the hind feet. 

There are three more requirements in the analysis of the gait 
when thus established by a continuous measurement of tracks, and 
these are: v 

(1) The distances between each pair of correlated feet, or the 
pair that move diagonally together, 

(2) The extension or distance of one foot to the other (of either 
fore or hind) ; that is, the distance from near to off and from off to 
near and so on ; and 





■ 


2 

m tti 

■■ ~ z 
a at 




.«#em^™ ni ' "^-^ 


0. 




A%^L~-s' 


O 


''■i 






, 








W iZr 


z 





^Sdg2gSr 


■J ~ 


^0 


■^^ 

^>^ 


• 




&kh 


3 


irm 


S^^lI • •'-' » y 




Lk 








WmJk 


• 1 

I 1 




IH' 


J 


^ ■# 




1 


,-. 





Record of the Tracks on the Ground 49 

(3) The distance which hind foot precedes fore foot on each 
side, which is to be designated by "overstep." 

Let us, however, look at the table of Fig. 34. There are 20 re- 
corded strides, whose average is approximately and quickly found by 
taking the measurement of the last near fore, namely, 384.60, and di- 
viding the same by 20, which is 19.23 ft. 

This is only a rough calculation to get at the stride quickly. For 
actual computations we shall have to resort to the method employed 
in Fig. 36, where the sum total of all the strides. divided "by their num- 
ber (80) definitely determines the average stride. 

Fig. 36. 

Twenty Strides and Variations from Average (4- and — ). 

Average, 19.24. 

FORE HIND 



Near 


Var. 


Off 


Var. 


Near 


Var. 


Off 


Var. 


19.30 


+ .06 


k 19.05 


— .19 


19.30 


-+- .06 


19-35 


+ .11 


18.75 


— •49 


18.80 


— •44 


19. 


— .24 


18.90 


— •34 


19.40 


+ .16 


1940 


+ .16 


19.10 


— .14 


19.10 


— .14 


18.95 


— .29 


19.20 


— .04 


19-35 


H- .11 


19.30 


+ .06 


19.10 


— .14 


19.30 


+ .06 


I9-05 


— .19 


19.40 


+ .16 


19-25 


+ .01 


18.75 


— .49 


18.85 


— •39 


18.80 


— .44 


19-25 


+ .01 


19-25 


+ .01 


19-45 


+ .21 


19.40 


+ .16 


I9-50 


+ .26 


19-75 


+ -51 


19.40 


+ .16 


19.20 


— .04 


1905 


— .19 


I9-J5 


— .09 


19.10 


— .14 


19.40 


+ .16 


19-35 


+ .11 


19-25. 


+ .01 


19.10 


— .14 


19.10 


— .14 


19-25 


+ .01 


'I9-I5 


— .09 


19-15 


— .09 


I9.I5 


— .09 


19.30 


+ .06 


19.30 


+ .06 


19.40 


+ .16 


19-55 


+ .31 


19-15 


— .09 


19.10 


— .14 


19.35 


+ .11 


19.25 


+ .01 


19.30 


+ .06 


19.30 


■+- .06 


19-35 


+ .11 


19-25 


+ .01 


19.30 


+ .06 


i9-5o 


+ .26 


19.40 


+ .16 


19.40 


+ .16 


19.30 


+ .06 


19.20 


— .04 


19-25 


+ .01 


19-35 


■+- .11 


19.30 


+ .06 


19-55 


+ -31 


19-35 


+ .11 


19.60 


+ .36 


19.60 


+ .36 


19-50 


+ .26 


19-75 


+ .51 


19-45 


+ .21 


19-35 


+ .11 


19-05 


— .19 


I9-I5 


— .09 


19. 


— .24 


18.85 


— •39 


19-15 


— .09 


19.10 


— .14 


I9-I5 


— .09 


384.60 


384.70 


384-95 


385-10 










STRIDES 








19.23 




19.235 




19.247 




^9-255 










roTAT., VARIATIONS 








4- 


i-39 


1.70 




+ 


1.71 


1.82 




— 


i-59 


1.80 




— 


1.56 


1.52 





2-98 3-50 3.27 3.34 



50 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

Now, looking down the columns marked "stride" we shall see 
distinct variations from this general average stride. The proper way 
of computing the general average is by arranging all strides according 
to the fore and hind feet and near and off side, then adding each of 
the four columns and dividing the total by 80, which is the total of the 
20 strides of all the four feet. Fig. 36 presents such an arrangement 
of strides and their variations. The strides are easily arranged from 
Fig. 34, and adding all four columns of strides we have as a total 
1539.25, which divided by 80 gives 19.24 ft. as the average stride. 
Applying this average to each stride of each leg we shall find either 
an excess or a deficiency from that average, such excess being marked 
plus ( + ) or over, and such deficiency being marked minus ( — ) or 
under such average. These, being placed in special columns, are the 
variations from stride. It will be seen that the strides are far from 
being even measurements, but are subject rather to the condition of 
ground and to the various exertions of the mare when at speed. But in 
spite of variations the stride of each leg must be the same or nearly 
so. We cannot have a long stride in front and a short stride behind, 
or vice versa; Therefore, the error often committed by pen and 
tongue that the stride should be shortened either behind or in front by 
means of a certain style of shoeing is very misleading. What is really 
meant is the shortening of forward extension. I shall have occasion 
to touch upon that point again. 

Now, I have found that in nearly all cases (and there were many) 
the total scope of variations indicates this : 

(1) In fore legs the greater total variation belongs to or occurs 
in the stronger leg; and 

(2) In the hind legs the greater total variation belongs to or 
occurs in the zveaker leg. 

By "total variation" is meant the entire scope of such + an d — 
variations for the 20 strides, as the figures under the variations indicate. 
This is like adding same by arithmetic and disregarding the plus and 
minus signs, which latter are only to show the total extensions over 
and below the average stride. But if, furthermore, we divide the total 
variations as they stand by 20 we shall obtain the tendency of each 
stride with reference to the average stride. 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 51 

For instance, we have as results of such division : 

Fore Hind 

near off near off 

+.69 +.85 > +.85 +.91 

—•79 —90 —78 —76 



—.10 —.05 +.07 +.15 

and adding these averages by the simple rule of algebra as given on 
p. 66 we get the results as shown, which mean, briefly mentioned, that 
fore feet fall short of average a trifle and hind exceed it a little. And 
this again proves that there was momentarily an increase of speed 
during trial, as elsewhere noted, which is always caused by greater 
hind extension first. 

And so even at this stage of the analysis of Lou Dillon's gait 
we can say that her off fore leg is the more active or stronger leg, 
and the near hind is the more regular or stronger leg than its opposite 
mate. Allusion has been made to the interrelation of the four legs, 
or the influence which one deficient leg may have on its opposite mate 
or on its diagonal companion with which it moves at the same time. 
The off fore in this case will pull along the near hind, or vice versa ; 
and the lagging off hind may retard the extension of the near fore. 
It is therefore impossible to establish the tendencies of extensions by 
merely considering the stride and the variations. 

Let us, therefore, consider the extension of each leg with reference 
to its opposite mate, as shown in table of Fig. 37. 

These extensions are likewise figured from original measurements 
as given in Fig. 34, and they are found by deducting the figures of one 
foot from the next one. In the "fore" column we have, for instance, 
19.30 — 9.70=9.60, this being the extension or distance of off fore to 
near fore. Then again we have the next distance from last near fore 
to off fore. Here the figures are 28.75 — 1 9-3 0== 9-45 f° r the extension 
or distance from near fore to off fore. On the table the letters "o 
to n" and "n to o" indicate the distances from off to near and from 
near to off. With a little practice it is not much of a trick to figure this 
out rapidly. 



52 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



Now, when 20 such distances or extensions from one foot to its 

Fig. 37- 

Distances Between Twenty Opposite Fore and Hind 

(Near fore to off fore, etc.) 

Average, 9.62 (2 X 9.62 = 19.24). 



Off to Near 

9.60 

9-3° 
9.90 

9-45 
9-35 
9-3o 
9.80 
10.05 
9-35 
9-55 
9-55 
9.70 

9-55 

9-75 
9-75 
9-55 
9- 6 5 
9.70 

9-55 
9-35 



191.75 
9.587 



FORE 

Near to Off 

9 45 
9-50 
9-5o 
9-75 
9-95 
9-45 
9-45 
9.70 
9.80 
9.70 
9.60 
9.60 
9-55 
9-55 
9-75 
9.65 
9.90 
9.80 
9-50 
9.80 



192.95 
9.647 
+ .06 



Excess + .06 = .03 
2 



«/ 



HIND 

Off to Near 

10.05 

9.70 

9.90 

10.15 

9.90 

9-35 
10. 
10. 

9.90 

9.60 

9- 6 5 
9.90 
9.70 
9.80 

9-95 
9.80 
9.80 
9-95 
9- 6 5 
9-75 



196.50 

9.825 
+- -395 



+ -_39_5 = .1975 
2 



Near to Off 

9-3C 
9.20 
9.20 
9-15 
9-5o 
9-45 
9.40 
9.20 

9-50 
9.5o 
9.5o 
9- 6 5 
9-55 
9-45 
9-45 
9-55 
9.80 
9-5o 
9-35 
9.40 



188.60 
9-43 



Opposite mate have been found and arranged in columns for each foot 



Record of the Tracks on t lie Ground 53 

we shall readily see the curious inequalities of such extensions, even 
in a horse of an apparently good gait. This proves in part my con- 
tention that only by an accurate method, such as this, can we detect 
the faults or peculiarities of a gait. 

Adding these four columns and dividing by 20 we have the actual 
average extension of each leg with reference to its opposite mate, but 
this being the difference of two averages these fractions should be 
divided by 2 to ascertain the actual mean difference between the ex- 
tensions of legs or feet. Hence off fore precedes near fore by 0.03 
of a foot or 0.36 in. or 1/3 in. and near hind travels ahead of off hind 
0.1975 of a foot or 2.37 inches or about 21/3 inches. 

It will be noted that the averages of fore added together 
are 19.23 feet and those of hind are 19.25, which seems to indicate 
that for those 20 strides at least the hind exceed the fore slightly in 
extension. The same fact might have been noticed in Fig. 36 ; and it 
shows that hind legs were, in this stretch, slightly more active than the 
fore, an observation made in a good many resolute trotters with good 
hind action. But if we were to measure 100 strides this apparent 
greater extension of hind would subside at times and thus keep the 
horse from breaking. For, it should be remembered that the increase 
of stride is always first made by the hind legs ; and, therefore, this 
activity of hind in this case must simply be due to increasing speed 
as she trotted over that piece of ground. 

The general average of all of the four legs is, as indicated at 
head of table, 9.62 ft., which taken twice will give the general average 
of stride, or 19.24 ft., as we computed it in Fig. 36. 

The result of the last table illustrates plainly the original method 
of David Roberge of reducing the analysis of gait to a series of "point- 
ing." Here we have pointing at speed, which is still more express- 
ive than "pointing" at rest. We have, therefore, arrived at the indica- 
tions of irregularities of gait by means of pointing or extension. These 
extensions, when unequal, simply show the habit of a gait and further- 
more indicate the solution of a possible correction. Later on it will 
be shown that Roberge's simple exposition of pointing will also 
serve as a suggestion for a remedy. 



54 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



Another table in Fig. 38 is offered to further understand the 

Fig. 38. 

Twenty Distances of Correlated or Diagonal Feet 

(Normally the same on both diagonals). 

Average, 3.26. 



Distance 

3.65 
3-°5 
3-55 
3.40 
3.20 

3.o5 
3.5o 
3.60 

3-45 
3-4o 
3-55 
3-7o 
3-3o 
3-35 
3-4o 
3.30 
3-25 
3-25 
3.15 
3- 



nn 



a 






02 



67.10 

+ .17 

.1975 — -03 = .1675 X 

o 



77A 






nn 
nf 



n/l 
n/ 



Distance 

3-05 

2.85 

3.15 

3. 

3-25 

3-15 

2-95 

3-30 

3-35 

3.50 

3-5o 

3.4o 

3.15 

3.10 

3.20 

3.15 

3-35 

3.10 

3. 
3-o5 



63-55 
3.18 



F 10.39. 

Scoule. j m h J foot 

of nf L „ 

/T\ ^t v I a =36 in- 



rr 

nh 



a 

oh 



■2.3T 



Dist nf-oh = 3.35 ft ■) 
Dist of- nh =3.18 Ft 
Di ff bet pairs : / 7 ft 
j or 2 Of m 
A verage dist =3.26 ft 

ad-- ac + c d 
be = etc + b<x 

id- be = cd-bac ^2.0ln 



movements of the trotter. It considers the distance between the 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 55 

two correlated legs, that is, the two which move together, such as 
the near fore and off hind and the off fore and the near hind. It 
should be assumed as an axiom, or a proposition unnecessary to 
prove and sufficiently evident, that these distances must be the same 
in the square trot. For, to insure regularity of action in the trot as 
well as in the pace the distances of feet moving and landing on ground 
together cannot help being alike on both sides. If they were not the 
gait would approach single-footing. 

These distances are computed by deducting the measurement of 
one hind foot from that of its correlated fore or the diagonal fore 
♦vhich moves with that hind. In Fig. 36 we have, for instance, oh = 
15:65, to be taken from n f = 19.30 or 19.30 — 15.65 = 3.65 ft 
Again, n h = 25.70 to be taken from o f '= 28.75 or 2 &-75 — 2 57° 
= 3.05, and so on, always deducting the figure of one hind from that 
of its diagonal fore on the opposite side on, the line below it. 

There are, v in consequence, two columns, and adding these we 
obtain, after dividing with 20 and getting the average on each side, a 
difference of 0.17 ft. or 2.04 inches between the sides. This means 
that the distance between near fore and off hind is 2.04 inches greater 
than the distance between the off fore and near hind. This is easy 
to prove by figures of previous table where it was shown that extension 
of off fore over near fore was 0.03 of a foot and that of near hind over 
off hind was 0.1975 °f a foot. This would present the matter as in 
Fig. 39, though the difference here does not quite agree with dif- 
ference found in Fig. ^y, which showed it to be 0.1675 °f a f° ot > or 
just 2 inches instead of 2.04 inches. It is not often that these calcula- 
tions show a difference, but owing to the greater activity of hind, due 
to probable increase of speed during trial, such a small difference in 
averages is apt to arise. 

There is one more consideration about these measurements which 
concerns the relations between fore and hind legs, and that is the so- 
called "overstep" or distance that hind foot is placed ahead of fore 
foot on each side. Such calculation is only of importance to find 
out the relative over-reach of hind and backward pointing of fore 
feet. With increase of speed the overstep increases in distance, for 



56 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

the greater the speed the longer will be the flight through the air of 
the horse in motion ; and this overstep shows in reality the distance 
between one set of legs moving together from that of the other set. 
Its average for both sides will prove again the faults of the gait as 
we shall see in Fig. 40. Here we calculate from table of Fig. 34 the 
overstep by crosswise subtraction, as, for instance, taking the measure- 
ment of each fore from that of each hind following it. Starting, 
as is always advisable, with overstep of first stride (19.30), we 
have 25.70 — 19.30 = 6.40 on near side, and 35. — 28.75 = 6.25 on 
off side, again dividing these oversteps into those of near side and 
those of off side until the 20 oversteps have been computed. Adding 
these again and dividing by 20 we get for each side the average 
overstep, or dividing the total by 40 we obtain the general average of 
6.36 ft. 

There appears again .a difference between the two sides, which 
is the difference in extensions running through the whole trial, as 
shown in Fig. 41. Here we have the two oversteps placed side by 
side. We know that the extension of off hind over that of near hind is 
0.1975 °f a f° ot > hence cd = 0.1975 ft. ; and also that extension of off 
fore over that of near fore, i. e., a b— 0.03 ft. Therefore the extension 
on near side must be greater than that of the off side by what the off 
hind foot lacks and the off fore foot gains. In other words, the two 
feet on off side approach each other by their opposite tendencies 
and the overstep loses as much on the off side as this approach 
measures, or ab -J- cd, which is 0.2275 ft. or 2.73 inches. 

If in Figs. 41 and 39 I endeavor to prove the subject matter of table 
Fig. 40 by a few simple algebraic equations or signs it is not for the 
purpose of rendering this subject more abstruse but rather to satisfy 
the usual demands of simple mathematics for a proper "Q.E.D." — or 
"which was to be proved." 

Since Lou Dillon had the peculiarity of crossing over her fore 
legs, the overstep is not so clearly distinguishable on the ground as it 
is with the trotters that have not got that way of going. In Fig. 41-A 
we see the ordinary form of locomotion, from which the overstep can 



Record of 'the Tracks on the Ground 



57 



be easily ascertained for each side, the off fore being in line with the 
off hind and the near fore in line with the near hind. 





Fig 


. 40. 




Twenty Oversteps of Hind Over Fore. 




Average, 6.36. 








TlA 




NEAR SIDE 


V 


OFF SIDE 


Distance 






Distance 


6.40 


oA 


0/ 


6.25 


6.65 
6-35 


0/ 


6-35 
6.05 


6-75 
6.70 
6.30 


( n 




6.15 
6.25 
6.30 


6.50 






6-45 


6.40 


on 




5.90 


6-45 


0/ 


6.15 


6.20 






6. 


6.10 


vo 


7, A 


6. 


6.20 


nj 


6.25 


6.40 






6.40 


, 6.45 
6.55 
6.50 


oA 

of 


(V 


6-35 
6.25 
6.40 


6-55 




n/i 


6-45 


6.70 
6.50 


(g 


6.40 
6-35 


6-75 






6.35 




oA 






129.40 


oj 


125.05 


6.47 






6.25 


+ .22 


fCL 


n/i 




)75 + .03 = -2275 ^^j 


nf 





137= 



FlGAI 
Scale ± in. to J foot. 
nh oh 



.36- i 




JD/sf nh-nf^ 6*7 ff. 

Dist. oh ■ of - 6.25 ft 

Biff, bet oversteps \22f 7 

or 2.6+/n. 

Average overs fep =■ 6.36ft 

ac ■=■ a at + etc 
ab - ad - dec 



och = ate + hoc 
or 2.73 in. 



58 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



In considering the overstep we should remember that its distance 
is in a certain proportion to the general average of stride, and that the 
greater the stride, the greater will be the overstep. Practice will 
determine its proper proportion to the stride. 

It may be stated here that with horses of hind legs pointing for- 
ward or standing under excessively, or with fore legs pointing back- 
ward, or both fore and hind pointing in that manner, the overstep will 



F/G.+l* 



■37{ 5 



m 



nh 



n 



oh 



■«{*=# 



of 



T) 



show an unnatural length even with a short stride. In other words, 
though this calculation of overstep is not absolutely necessary for prac- 
tical purposes, it gives an insight into the locomotion of the trotter that 
makes it clearer to the mind in what way a possible correction may be 
attained. I do not insist on a complete carrying out of these calcula- 
tions of the measurements, because for practical purposes it may suffice 
to ascertain simply the average stride, the distances of correlated feet 
of Fig. 38, and the extensions of legs as given in table of Fig. 37. If 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 59 

the total work of such an investigation, therefore, seems too much for 
some trainers or owners to bother with, the above requirements are 
absolutely necessary for any comprehension of the subject's gait. As 
mentioned before, horses are apt to trot with one foot ahead of the 
other in front, but such a habit should call for a like difference in ex- 
tension of its correlated hind foot or that hind foot which moves with 
that fore. An analysis of the gait would readily prove this fact. 

So in this case of Lou Dillon's, if the off hind had only lagged, say, 
one inch, and the corresponding near fore had also lagged one inch, we 
could pronounce such a gait as a perfect trot, because the most im- 
portant condition of such a perfect gait would have been fulfilled. 

This condition remains a peremptory demand for such a perfect 
trot and calls for an equality of distance between the diagonally moving 
feet. Wherever these distances, as given in table of Fig. 38, are not 
equal we must look for the offending leg and try the probable remedy 
on the same. All so-called "rough" gaits or single-footing or breaks 
are due to some over-activity of one leg and sluggishness of another, 
thus causing the inequality of the distances between the two pair of 
correlated feet, and in establishing such defect we find the probable 
cause of disturbance upon which to base a change in the paring of 
the foot or the shoeing of the same. Examples in a later chapter will 
make this more clear. 

In the computation of the previous tables it has been shown that 
in order to establish a correct agreement of one with the other the 
first two measurements from one fore to one hind should be neglected 
and the start should be made with the measurement containing the rec- 
ord of the stride. For instance, the measurement from near fore to 
near hind is in table Fig. 34 = 6.40, which is not considered in any 
figuring, but the start is made from the two horizontal figures con- 
taining the first stride measurement. In these oversteps we therefore 
not 'only neglect 6.40, but also the second line, and proceed only with 
third line containing the first stride: 19.30 or 25.70 — 19.30 = 6.40. 
This method has been found to conform to all proofs or verifications ; 
for, since we start with the first full stride, the start of all other rela- 
tions should be made with reference to that first stride. 



60 Gait of the American Trotter and Facer 

To make this investigation complete it is necessary to find the 
actual positions of the tracks on the ground. This manner of placing 
the feet on the ground or of handling the legs while in motion may be 
termed lateral extension. We have just considered the extension of 
the horse as far as its forward and backward motion is concerned. 
Now we must face the question of the line trot and its variations to 
inside and outside. The examination of the impressions on the ground 
is important and should be studied even if for lack of time or interest 
no further measurements are taken. For, the manner of position 
or placing indicates the line or curve of motion in which the particular 
foot travels. In the even, regular and energetic gait, whether it be the 
trot or the pace, the tracks on the ground should record a firm and 
clear, and, therefore, brief and light, contact without slipping or sliding. 
The foot lands squarely and stays where it is put until ready for the 
supreme effort of propulsion. Then it leaves the ground as quickly 
and without slip or slide, the impression showing no special effort or 
strain. This is really a great characteristic of proper "balance" and 
the tracks on the ground should be systematically examined so as to 
enable the intelligent trainer or shoer to judge the shortcomings and 
requirements of the gait. 

In order to clearly understand the relative positions of such 
tracks we must have some standard line by which we can judge. It 
suggested itself to me that a line described on ground by the vertical 
plane bisecting the animal lengthwise would be that standard line. In 
other words, if we lengthen down to ground the upright plane contain- 
ing the center of gravity we shall have a line on both sides of which 
the tracks should be found at equal distances from it. For practical 
purposes we may assume this line to run midway between the tracks 
of the sulky wheels. This line I prefer to call the "median line;" 
and it should be drawn by means of a carpenter's or mason's white 
cord along the straightest part of the trial to be investigated. Find- 
ing, for instance, the width of sulky wheels to be 4 feet 5 inches, 
this line should be staked out with surveyor's pins every 6 to 10 feet 
and put 2 feet 2y 2 inches from the center of either wheel track. 



Record of the Tracks 011 the Ground 



61 



A slight curve may be followed in line as it exists in wheel tracks 
and for practical purposes such a curve does not affect the results 
seriously, especially if another slight curve in the opposite direction is 
included in that stretch to be measured. Of course, it always is very 
desirable that in every trial made the horse should be driven as straight 
as possible. This cannot always be done and we must be satisfied with 
a good average showing. 

In Fig. 42 will be seen the main features of a cross section of a 
horse in motion hitched to a sulky. AB is the ground surface and 
comprises the width of sulky gauge ; the circle above is the body of the 
horse with center of gravity at C ; GH and DE are perpendicular lines 
indicating the moving legs of said horse ; and MN is the vertical plane 




H N £ 

r/o +2 



parallel with the lines described by A and B, and bisecting or cutting 
in half said moving horse. Judging from the mechanical accuracy of 
construction of the sulky, we may safely assume that the horse travels 
on lines equally distant from the tracks left by the wheels A and B, 
and that the median plane MN strikes the ground at a point N midway 
between A and B. Therefore, for all practical purposes the averages 
of the distances of the tracks at E and H should be equally distant 
from N, the median line drawn on ground as suggested. 

These reasonable assumptions or postulates are offered to estab- 
lish a standard gait and a standard balance, for by such a standard we 
must judge the deficiencies. 

After a trial over a prepared piece of ground and after the white 
cord has been staked out as the median line between the tracks of the 



62 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



sulky wheels, we shall have the presentation of lines and points in 
question, as shown in Fig. 43. 



M 



6 



4 

6 



6 



Qi 



# 



^ 
i 



^ 

6 



, F/0. 43 




'i-l^lcLl-k 1 *^ 1 ^' -L'Jc*^'?; 1 



1 ? T 



FlGlM 



— 1 r r ' 

i *P 1 o- 1 ? 1 



In order to find the correct positions of the 
four feet with reference to this median line MN, 
I devised an instrument, the picture of which 
appears in Fig. 44. This track guage can be 
easily applied to each impression on ground, 
and will give both distances of each foot from 
median line and direction or pointing of each 
foot as well. 

The distance of each foot from median line 
should be measured from the frog or from a 
point midway between the heels of the shoe 
as it appears on ground. Then we shall have 
a correct indication of the pointing of the toe 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



63 



either in or out. Any toeing in should be designated as minus ( — ), 
and any pointing out as plus ( + ) ; and any crossing over the median 
line by either near or off feet should be designated by minus ( — ) . The 

' ri 




M 

Fig. 45. 

B R — Indicator pivoting at A. 

R— Point of toe. 

a b — Crosspiece at right angles to B R 

and extending to quarters. 
A — Thumb-screw with sharp point 

underneath rtfidwaybetween heels 

of shoe. 
A B — Radius of arc O P, giving angle 

of A R with A C (parallel with 

MN). 
M N — Median line. 
A F, C D — Pivoting at C and A meas- 
ure equal distances from M N at 

right angles. 









• 






n 


oh 









nf 


/ 


/ 






nhC\ 








o/( 


) 


\ 


\ 






n 


oh. 


1 


/ 


c 


)n.f 


nil 


\ 






o.fC. 












n 


oh 




■ 





nf. 



N 



o.fC. 



n h.Ci 



D 



a 



n.f. 



oh. 



F16.-46. 



feet therefore remain plus or over in distances from median line as 
long as they remain on the side where they are supposed to belong; 
and they change to minus when they cross over to the opposite side. 
Such a notation facilitates finding the averages for all four feet both 



64 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

in distance and in direction. Again, it must be emphasized that the 
averages obtained in all these calculations indicates the animal's hab- 
itual or compulsory mode of motion under the conditions of such a 
trial. 

Fig. 45 will show the track gauge applied to a track of a shoe, 
which might indicate an angle outward or plus ( + ) of about 15 de- 
grees, and a distance for off fore of about 6 inches or more. If this 
track, however, were that of the near fore it would not only show that 
the near fore leg crosses over, but also that the more natural toeing 
out has given way to a marked toeing in ; or,, in other words, the near 
fore would show a distance of — 6 and a direction or angularity of 
toe of — 15 degrees. 

Perhaps it is just as well to illustrate all this by the actual plotting 
or fixing of Lou Dillon's tracks. I offer here, in Fig. 46, an explanatory 
drawing of the tracks in part as found, and along side a presentation 
of the fore feet as they averaged in their lines of motion and direction. 
When first seen these tracks looked like those of a pacer, and, judged 
from the standpoint of a standard gait, this mare cannot pass muster. 
But she is a study of compensations ; that is, of such motions of legs 
and feet as will prevent or make improbable any interference of hind 
with fore feet. This peculiarity of gait can be seen in Fig. 35, where 
the mare is at full speed. The off fore is coming from the near side 
and the off hind is seen on outside of off fore, and no interference 
seems possible between the legs on the same side. 

Another table is offered to the reader's attention in Fig. 47, where 
again the various measurements made with the track gauge for 19 
strides are arranged according to fore and hind and near and off sides, 
and the distances and angles of directions are found in columns for cal- 
culating the averages. The distances (D) are given in inches and 
decimal fractions thereof. The small letters "t" and "oh" or "ih" 
stand for concussions or slips at toe (t), outside heel (oh) or inside 
heel (ih) ; and sometimes "hh" appears, which stands for both heels. 
A line under any of these notations, such as t, oh, ih, hh, means an 
intensified impression caused by undue concussion or by slipping. It 
is well to note these features of the tracks and take an average of 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



65 



them ; for, repetitions of any such marks on ground indicate in part the 
faults and peculiarities of gait. Every observation adds its mite to the 
sum total and completes the final verdict. 

For the proper understanding of . this table a trotter with a 
straighter direction of feet would have been better here, but the reader 

Fig. 47. 

Distances from Median Line (to Middle of Frog) and Angles 

with same + and — 

FORE 



Near 






Off 








Nee 


r 




Off 


D 


A ngle 


D 


Angle 




D 


Angle 


D 


Angle 


— 1-50 


+ 


1° 


— 


6. 


+ 


1° 


+ 


4- 


+ 4° 


— .25 


+ 4° 


— 2.50 







— 


5-5o 




3 




6.25 


3 


1. 


6 oh 


— 1. 







— 


4- 




3 




3- 


6t 


1. 


6t 


— 150 


— 


2 


— 


5. 




- 1 




4. 


4t 


.25 


9 t,oh 


— -5o 


— 


4 


— 


4-75 




2 




4-75 


5t 


•75 


8 oh 


— 1.50 


— 


5 


— 


3- 




3 




3-25 


5t 


2. 


9 oh 


— 3- 




2 


— 


3-25 




"4, 




3- 


7t 


1.25 


10 oh 


— 2.75 


— 


2 


v — 


3-75 




2 




4-25 


6t 


— .25 


9 oh 


— .50 


— 


3 


— 


6.25 




4 




4-75 


6t 





8t,oh 







3 


— 


5- 




5 




4-75 


5t 


1.25 


10 oh 


— 1.25 


— 


1 


— 


4-5o 




2 




3.50 


5t 


2. 


9 oh 


— 2.25 


— 


1 


— 


3- 




- 2 




4- 


3t 


1.50 


7 oh 


— 2.50 


— 


4 


— 


4- 




3 




4-5o 


4t 





8 oh 


— *5o 


— 


4 


— 


5-5o 




3 




4-5o 


6t 





9 oh 


— 3. 


— 


4 


— 


5- 









5- 


5t 


— .50 


8 oh 


— 1. 


— 


3 


— 


5- 




3 




5- 


6t 





6t 


— i-5o 


— 


4 


— 


3- 59 




3 




3-5o 


5t 


1. 


6 oh 


— 2.75 


— 


5 


— 


2.50 




1 




3- 


7t 


2.50 


9 oh 


— 3- 


— 


3 


— 


3- 




-3 




3-5o 


6t 





7 oh 


— 30.50 


+ 


6° 
45 


— 


82.50 


+ 


37° 
10 


+ 


78.50 


+98 


+ 14-50 
— 1. 


+ 148° 


— 30-50 


— 


39 


— 


82.50 


+ 


27 


+ 78.50 


+ 98 


+ i3-5o 


148 


— 1.6 


— 


2° 


— 


4-34 


+ 


i.4° 


+ 


4-i3 


+5-i6° 


+ .71 


+ 7-8° 




















t 




oh 


break over 


slightly on outside toes 




toe 


outside heel 



will no doubt follow the explanations readily. It is necessary to resort, 
to a little algebra regarding the plus and minus signs and the finding of 
averages, but I trust that this will not deter anyone from studying 
this table. The meaning of the + and — signs has already been ex- 
plained and in popular language it might be said that whenever the 
foot goes in an unnatural direction, that is, when it crosses over the 



66 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

median line or toes in, the minus ( — ) sign indicates that tendency 
The plus ( + ) sign is used merely, therefore, as indicating a more or 
less correct position of foot on ground and is generally understood 
where not given. In adding the plus and the minus quantities or 
numerals separately, we are able to get at the sum total so that we may 
get from it the average by dividing with the number of strides or nota- 
tions registered. It may be well to introduce a definition or corollary 
of algebra here to understand the meaning of sum total. It reads as 
follows : 

"The sum of two quantities, the one positive and the other nega- 
tive, is the numerical difference, with the sign of the greater prefixed." 

If therefore the distance (D) of off hind, as found in table, shows 
a variation from o to — .50 or y 2 inch on left side of middle line, and 
from o to 2.50 or 2 J / 2 inches on its right side, we find by adding the 
variations on right side (or plus) (+ 14.50), and also those of left 
side (—1), the difference of which is +13.50, which divided by 19 
will give us the average, or +.71 inch, or nearly ^4 incn on right side 
of middle line. It will appear that this leg moves in a closer position 
as compared with near hind, which shows a more positive variation 
throughout and averages 4.13 inches to left of middle line. 

The pointing in and out of foot as registered by the angles found 
with the track gauge will further illustrate the above definition of sum 
total. In second column we have +6 — 45, which shows a difference 
of — 39; which for 19 strides averages — 1.6°. In the fourth column 
we see the off fore point out or toe out a total of +Z7° an d point in or 
toe in a total of — io° ; the sum total of which is therefore -\-2j° ', 
which, divided by 19, or total occurrences, gives us +1.4 . This means 
that off fore, in spite of crossing over to near side 4.34 inches beyond 
middle line, still toed out, or to right, just a little, while the near fore 
crossing over to off side 1.60 inches on right side of and beyond middle 
line toed in, or to right, a little more. 

The hind feet, having no such crossing over motion, are more easy 
to understand in their directions. It is plain addition of columns and 
divisions by 19 occurrences. We can see readily that off hind is being 
more or less dragged along, twisting to a greater angle (7.80 ) and 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 67 

being planted down close to the middle line (+.71 in.), while the near 



<— 

v 






*< 







fc 










>j 


^K 


<0 


0* 


FIG 


.18 



-< 



near hi 



£ C\ 



near fore 



Fig. 49 



68 Gait of the American Trotter a?id Pacer 

hind goes far out (4.13 in.) and preserves a much more reasonable 
toeing out (5.16 ). 

In Fig. 48 is given a section of actual distances and positions of 
feet according to the averages found. The hind feet are respectively 
4.13 in. (n h) and 0.71 in. (oh) from the median line M N at O. Hav- 
ing found the average distances of fore to be negative quantities, we 
know that such distances from median line are on opposite sides, or 
— 4.34 in. for off and — 1.60 in. for near fore. The mare proves to be 
a line trotter of an inverted order, hind feet apparently following their 
diagonal mates, but is by no means a real line trotter and is, moreover, 
a trotter of a wide and open gait. 

Regarding the observations of break-over, or slide or concussion, 
the fore show a slight break-over at outside toe, hardly worth noting 
on table ; but the hind show that compensating activity which two legs, 
unequal in extension, generally manifest. It will be noted that while 
off hind strikes outside heel and has hardly any mark at toe, the near 
hind shows the extra effort at toe, which marks propulsion of a greater 
degree. We therefore note that near hind makes an extra effort to 
carry along the off hind, which, by some reason or other, fails to ex- 
tend forward sufficiently and shows no effort of propulsion at toe. 

Lou Dillon in gait was a freak, for without that crossing over to 
the extent of nearly 6 inches of space between the fore (from frog to 
frog) and the slight outward action and reach of hind feet, she could 
not have cleared her feet as remarkably as she did. Let me illustrate 
this by Fig. 49, where the feet are represented as found on ground. 
These are the feet of one (near) side, which in the trotter move al- 
ways against and away from each other. (See Fig. 22, etc.) It is 
the same on off side, of course. Now, there is a moment when these 
feet of the same side are either as close together as possible or cross 
each other, as in speedy cutting, according to conformation and gait. 
In this instance, however, such or any interference seems almost im- 
possible, or rather improbable, because of the directions of those fore 
and hind feet on each side. 

Fig. 49 shows such possible interference at F — A after near fore 
just left its track (dark print) and near hind is just about to land on 



Record of the Tracks o?i the Ground 69 

ground (dark print) beyond it. Whatever the position of F and A 
during the moment of their nearest approach (or passing), in this par- 
ticular case the danger point is avoided by the crossing over of fore 
feet. This latter direction is the peculiar compensation for a powerful 
action behind and without which the ordinary straight extension of 
fore might have proved an obstacle to extreme speed. The fact of her 
record remains as an indication of such a clear gait. We cannot quite 
accept it as a standard, though there can be no doubt that the action of 
the fore legs looked at from the side as shown in the plates of Figs. 22 
to 25, emphasized the necessity of a powerful hind action coupled with 
less clawing of the air by the fore than many a fast trotter shows. 

Shoes of Lou DilIon i 



'oes 
Fore 



uieroht- 6 oz\ Section 
anlfle » <<?° ' -, 

to <z ■ J ? > n 



u)ith leather pad 



Hind 



tueidhf . J oz ' zz=nMmm 

Tnt /e I jT,n Celled heel* and web 

70 . concave toward made 

or hollow 
Outside bee/ a /rtf/e hnfpr 



F/&.50 

Under the field glass inspection it was a revelation to see that 
decisive and high hind action with its wonderfully divided backward 
and forward extension, as well as the direct and straight extension and 
the quick forward reach in front which showed no wasted knee folding 
Therefore, in advocating a nearer approach of elevation of hind and 
front action as a help to proper balance and absence of interference, 
this mare can well serve as a standard to judge by. There can not be 
imagined greater harmony of motion between fore and hind as she 
presented it in that trial. The shoeing of this mare was simple, as seen 
in Fig. 50, to which reference will be made later. 

More than two years ago publication was made against my wish 
of the results of above trial and slight errors then made in the presenta- 
tion of the case have been carefully corrected now. 



jo Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

From the review of the trotting gait we shall now pass on to a. 
similar investigation of the pacing gait. Fig. 51 presents the picture 
of the then 5-year old bay mare Alone, 2 109%, owned by T. W. Bar- 
stow, her breeder, of San Jose, Cal. She is by Nearest, 2:22^4, full 
brother to John A. McKerron, 2:04^, both being by Nutwood Wilkes, 
2:163/2. Some years ago, this trial was made through the courtesy of 
Mr. Barstow, and for a subject of illustrating the pace none more 
perfect could have been selected. Unlike Lou Dillon, Alone is a mare 
16. 1 hands tall and of magnificent proportions, a powerful and service- 
able animal and of a smooth, low gait. During the trial she paced a 
2:05 gait; and she has a half mile record of 59^ seconds. Like Lou 
Dillon, she required practically no boots except for protection at dan- 
gerous points. A small heel boot in front and ankle boot behind was 
her entire outfit. 

Unfortunately only 15 strides could be obtained instead of the 
customary 20, which always necessitates more calculations than a 
decimal like 10 or 20 does. 

In Fig. 52 is given the appearance of the tracks of the pace. 
While in the trot the movement of the feet on each side is in opposite 
directions and results in the overstep of hind over fore, as seen in 
Figs. 40 and 41, in the pace the hind follow their anterior members on 
the same side. Hence, in measurements as well as in tables the columns 
for hind feet precede those for fore feet. 

Sticking the pin that holds the end ring of tape line into the ground 
at toe of near hind, we again measure off 100 feet and in a similar 
note book properly lined with pencil into columns for measurements 
we enter the feet and decimals thereof as they appear at toe of each 
foot, taking care to alternate sides in book as they alternate on ground ; 
that is, in pairs of hind foot and fore foot. 

Fig. 53 presents the results of such measurements of the mare 
Alone. By subtracting alternate lines from each other we obtain again 
the strides for hind and fore, the near side being designated by the 
letter "n" and the off side by the letter "o." 

As in the analysis of the trot, we have again three relative dis- 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



71 



o 
n 



Fig. 53- 

Measurement of Tracks in Feet and Tenths oe a 
Foot (from Toe to Toe). 



Continuous Measurements- starting with Near Hind. 



Hind 



Stride 



Fore 



Stride 








N 


Toe> > 


— 


5-25 


— 









9-55 


— 


15.05 


— 


n 




N 


19-15 


I9-I5 


24.00 


18.75 









28.90 


19-35 


34.00 


18.95 




* 


N 


38-45 


19.30 


43.60 


19.60 









43-45 


19-55 


53-35 


19-35 




O 


N 


57-75 


19.30 


62.90 


i9-3 r 







67.75 


19.30 


73.10 


19-75 






N 


77-45 


19.70 


82.45 


19-55 




n 





87.20 


19.45 


92.20 


19.10 






N 


97.00 


19.55 


102.45 


20.00 









107.10 


19.90 


1 1 1.90 


19.70 






N 


116.40 


19.40 


121.50 


19.05 










126.65 


19-55 


I3L75 


19.85. 


N 


N 


136.20 


19.80 


141.15 


19.65 


n 







146.15 


I9-50 


151-05 


19.30 




N 


i55-6o 


19.70 


161.05 


19.90 






0. 


166.05 


19.90 


170.80 


19-75 






N 


175-55 


19.65 


180.60 


19.55 









185.90 


19-85 


I90-95 


20.15 







N 


195-45 


19.90 


200.40 


19.80 







205.50 


19.60 


210.65 


19.70 




n 


N 


215-55 


20.10 


220.95 


20.55 







225.85 


20.35 


230.65 


20.00 






N 


235.25 


19.70 


240.40 


19-55 






O 


245.90 


20.05 


251-05 


20.40 






N 


255-5o 


20.25 


260.45 


20.05 







O 


265.70 


19.80 


270.65 


19.60 




N 


275-55 


20.05 


280.55 


20.10 







O 


285.90 


20.20 


290. 80 


20.25 




N 


296.10 


20.55 


300.70 


20.15 






O 


305.45 


19-55 


3io- 6 5 


19.85 


rack. 


s or" Me pace 




N, 


near side ; O, 


off side. 




Fl 


$.52. 













tances between the feet which will establish the peculiarities of such 
measurements, to wit: 

(1) The distance between each pair of correlated feet or the 
pair that move laterally together ; 

(2) The extension or distance of one foot to the other; that is, 



7 2 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

the distance from near to off and from off to near (both fore and 
hind) ; 

(3) The distance between each pair or correlated feet moving 
together; that is, the distance between the double and full near ex- 
tension and the double and full off extension. 

To roughly calculate the average of the 15 strides v/e take last 
near hind measurement and divide same by 15, or 296.10/15 = 19.77 
ft. As in the trot this result is not reliable, but will serve as a quick 
estimate of the length of the average stride. The exact average will 
appear in next table of fig. 54. 

Fig. 54. 

Twknty Strides and Variations from Average (-+- and — ). 

Average, 19.72. 
hind fore 



Near 


Var. 


Off 


Var. 


Near, 


Var. 


Off 


Var. 


19.15 


— •57 


19-35 


— •37 


18.75 


— •97 


18.95 


— •11 


19.30 


— .42 


19-55 


— .17 


19.60 


— .12 


19-35 


— •37 


19.30 


— .42 


19.30 


— .42 


19.30 


— .42 


19-75 


+ .03 


19.70 


— .02 


19-45 


— .27 


19-55 


— .17 


19.10 


— .62 


19-55 


— •17 


19.90 


+ .18 


20. — 


+ .28 


19.70 


— .02 


19.40 


— •32 


19.55 


— .17 


I9.05 


-.67 


19-85 


+ -13 


19.80 


+ .oS 


19.50 


— .22 


19.65 


— .07 


19.30 


— .42 


19 70 


— .02 


19.90 


+ .18 


1990 


+ .18 


1975 


+ .03 


I9 6 5 


— .07 


I9-85 


+ .13 


19 55 


— •17 


20.15 


+ .43 


19.90 


+ .18 


19.60 


— .12 


1980 


+ .08 


1970 


— .02 


20.10 


+ .38 


20 35 


+ .63 


20.55 


+ .83 


20.00 


+ .28 


19.70 


— .02 


20.05 


+ .33 


19-55 


— •17 


20.40 


+ .68 


20.25 


+ .53 


19.80 


+ .08 


2005 


■f .33 


19.60 


— .12 


20.05 


+ -33 


20.20 


+ .48 


20 10 


4-. 38 


20.25 


+ -53 


20.55 


+ .83 


19-55 


— .17 


• 20.15 


+ .43 


19-85 


+ .13 


296.10 


295.90 


295-55 


295 70 










STRIDES 








1974 




19.726 


TOTAI, 


19 70 
VARIATIONS 




19.71 




4- 


2 33 


2.01 




+ 


2 51 


2. 


24 


— 


2.03 


1. 91 




— 


2.76 


2. 


34 



4.36 3.92 5.27 4.58 

Fig. 54 will show the strides of each foot as it varies from the 
general average, the latter being accurately 19.72 ft. This is again 
found by dividing total footing or 1183.25 by 15. Comparing each 
stride with this average, we have again the variations of a greater or a 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground J$ 

smaller stride from that average of 19.72. Entering in the variation 
columns the difference between the actual stride and the average, we 
designate that difference with plus ( + ) when the stride is greater 
than average, and by minus ( — ) when the stride falls short of average. 
Again, we see long and short strides throughout the movements of the 
legs, but they must all conform to this general average if the gait is to 
be kept up as a pace. So again, in spite of variations, the stride of 
each leg must be the same or very nearly so. We can not have a long 
stride in front and a short stride behind, or vice versa ; but we may find 
greater variations in one leg than in another, or in the hind than in the 
fore, or vice versa. 

This trial was not made over an ideal piece of ground, the same 
being on outside of homestretch near grandstand and in rather loose 
soil. Moreover, the mare swerved a little to left, being used to going 
on inner side. Hence, the near fore shows a little greater variation,, 
that being the side to which she tried to get. 

From experiments we have the same rules as to the indications of 
variations as were set forth in the case of Lou Dillon, namely: 

(1) In fore legs the greater total variation belongs to, or occurs 
in, the stronger leg; and 

(2) In the hind legs the greater total variation belongs to, or 
occurs in, the weaker leg. . 

By "total variation" is meant the entire scope of such -j- and — 
variations for those 15 strides; as the figures under the variations in- 
dicate. This is simply an ordinary addition without regard to the plus 
and minus signs, which latter only show the total extension over and 
below the average stride. But if, furthermore, we divide the total 
variations by 15 we will obtain the tendency of each stride with ref- 
erence to average stride. 

For instance, we have approximately : 

Hind Fore 

Near Off Near Off 

+.15.5 +- T 34 +-167 +.149 

—.135 —.127 —.184 —-156 

-f.02 +-OQ7 — .017 — .007 



74 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

and adding these averages by the simple rule of algebra, heretofore 
given, we get the results shown in footings, which mean, briefly stated, 
that hind feet exceed average slightly as compared with fore feet. 
This seems to prove again that there was momentarily an increase of 
speed during trial, which is always caused first by slightly greater hind 
extension. 

Right here I beg to say a few words to the reader who may have 
found these minute details rather difficult or too abstruse for practical 
purposes. I simply desire now to demonstrate my investigation as 
fully as is possible for me to do, but will also assure the reader that 
for practical purposes there will appear in Chapter X only the main 
and most important features of such measurements, from which may 
be got a tolerably fair, if not thorough, understanding of the subject's 
gait. 

We can now consider the extension of each leg or foot with ref- 
erence to its opposite mate as shown in table Fig. 55. We must re- 
member that in order to establish a conformity of results we should 
start with calculations of measurements from off to near side on the 
third line of table Fig. 53, using the first three figures only with ref- 
erence to the line showing the first stride. In Fig. 55 there are given 
the extensions, as measured from one hind to the other and from one 
fore to the other, as follows : 

^S — 9-55 = 9-6°> 28-90 — 19-15 = 9-75, etc. ; and 24 — 15.05 
= 8-95> 34 — 2 4 = 10 > etc -> to tne en d. (See Fig. 53.) 

Adding the four columns thus found and dividing each result by 
the number of strides, or 15, we obtain the average of extension of 
each leg with reference to its opposite member or mate. There is a 
difference of extension between the hind of 044 ft. and between the 
fore of 0.34 ft., but these differences must be divided by 2, being the 
differences of two averages, in order to ascertain the actual mean dif- 
ference between the extension of hind and fore. 

Hence we find that off hind precedes near hind by 0.22 ft., or" 0.22 
X 12 = 2.64 inches, and that off fore precedes near fore by 0.17, or 
0.17 X 12 = 2.04 inches. This shows in all a greater extension for 
the whole off side and illustrates my previous remark about the prefer- 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



75 



ence some horses have for one side or the other, and that if such 

Fig. 55- 

Twenty Distances Between Opposite Hind and Fore 

(Near hind to off hind, etc.) 

Average, 9.86 (2 X 9- 86 = I 9-72) 



Off to Near 
9.60 
9-55 
9.30 
9.70 
9.80 
9-30 
9-55 
9-75 
9-5o 
9-55 
10.05 
9.40 
-9 60 

9-35 
10.20 



144.70 
964 



HIND 

Near to Off 

9-75 

10. 

10. 

9-75 
10.10 
10.25 

9-95 
10.15 

10.35 
10.05 
10.30 
10.65 
10.20 
io.35 
9-35 



Excess 



151.20 
10.08 

+ .44 

.44 



Oh 



PORE 



Off to Near 

8.95 
9.60 

9-55 

9-35 
10.25 

9.60 

9.40 
10. 

9.80 

9-45 
10.30 

9-75 
9.40 
9.90 
9.90 



145.20 
9.68 



Near to Off 

10. 

9.75 
10.20 

9.75 

9-45 
10.25 

9.90 

9.75 
10.35 
10.25 

9.7o 
10.65 
10.20 
10.25 

9-95 



150.40 
10.02 

+ .34 



•34 
Excess — = .17 
2 



difference of extension be uniform in the correlated feet, or those 
that move together, and if it be not excessive (both of which con- 



y6 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

ditions we find in this case), such small irregularities do not affect 
the harmony of motion to any extent. 

It will be noted that the sum total of hind averages in this table 
(19.72) exceeds that of the fore averages (19.70), which same fact 
we notice in table Fig. 54. This illustrates the supposition that the 
mare was slightly increasing her speed during those 15 strides 

In the language of David Roberge, there is a marked ''pointing" 
on the off side of the table of Fig. 55. The mean difference between 
the extension of the off hind and that of the off fore is but 0.05 ft. or 
0.6 inch, which appears as the difference between the distances of the 
correlated feet in the next figure. 

In Fig. 56 we have again the calculations from table of Fig. 53 by 
means of crosswise subtraction in order to obtain the distances of the 
hind foot to the fore foot on either side. We start where the first 
stride occurs, that is, on the third line or the near side, as follows: 
24 — 19.15 = 4.85, 34 — 28.90 = 5.10, and so forth for the 15 strides. 

The addition of the columns in Fig. 56 and the division of the 
totals by 15, as seen on the table, will result in a difference of 0.05 ft. 
which means that the distance between the lateral feet on the near side 
is that much greater, or exceeds the distance between them on the off 
side by 0.6 inch. Although such a difference is an indication of a slight 
irregularity of gait, it is so small that it may safely be considered as 
being negligible. It should be remembered, however, that differences 
in averages, be they ever so small, point without error to some lack of 
harmony of motion in the mechanism of the horse. 

There is, as in the trot so also in the pace, another point of view 
to be taken of the movements of the feet, namely, the difference, if 
any, of extension of one pair of feet from the other pair of feet. That 
is to say, if we take the lateral pair on the near side as a moving unit 
and the lateral pair on the off side as a unit, the distance between them 
as they are alternately thrust forward would appear to be the same. 
It is reasonable to suppose that such distances are the same, because 
on such equal extensions of one side to the other depends, more or less, 
the regularity and purity of the gait. In the trot these distances were 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground jj 

designated as the ''oversteps," because on the ground the hind foot 

Fig. 56, 
Distances of Correlated or Lateral Feet (normally same on both sides) 

Average, 5.63. 



Distance 

4.85 

5-15 

5-15 

5- 

5.45 

5- 10 

4-95 

5.15 

5-05- 

4-95 

5-4o 

5.15 

4-95 

5- 

4.60 

75 $0 

5.06 

4- .05 ' 
Fig. 55 :.22 — .17 = .05 



I 

oh 

I 

of 
oh 

I 

of 
oh 

I 



i 

oh 



X 



nh 



nh' 

i 

i 

nh 



H static 
5.10 


490 


5-35 


5- 


4.80 


5.10 


4.90 


4-75 


5.05 


5.15 


4.80 


5-15 


4.95 


4.90 


5.20 


75-IO 


5.oi 



overstepped the fore foot on the same side. Now, in the pace this dis- 
tance between these pairs of feet is found between fore and hind of 



yS Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

opposite side, as shown in Fig. 58. These distances are easily com- 
puted by subtracting each hind foot measurement from that of oppo- 
site fore on line below, as seen on table of Fig. 53. For instance, 
starting on second line and taking off fore or 15.05 from near hind or 
19.15, we have 4.10 for the distance from off pair to near pair of cor- 
related feet. Again, continuing from next near fore to off hind, we 
have 28.90 — 24 = 4.90, or the distance from near pair to off pair of 
correlated feet. After placing these differences in the columns as ex- 
plained in table of Fig. 58, we again proceed to add the 15 records and 
divide by 15 to obtain the average of each side and by 30 to get the 
general average of 4.82. 

Again, we obtain the same proof of extensions and find that whole 
off side extension is greater than that of near side by 0.39 or 0.40 ft., or 
about 4.68 inches. In Figs. 57 and 59 a few simple methods of geome- 
try and algebra have been employed to illustrate the subject in ques- 
tion and to satisfy the demands of simple mathematics, besides meas- 
urements, for a proper proof. 

To this investigation of Alone's gait I may add a few remarks 
regarding her action and manner of going. She had good feet and was 
shod as given in Fig. 60. She was driven a very fast clip, better than 
her record gait. Having a low action, one could not realize her speed. 
Her tracks were firm and light, and without absolutely any indication 
of slipping or sliding or concussion. For a large mare (16.1 hands — 
1200 lbs.) her motion was remarkably rapid and smooth. 

The distance from one side to the other (4.82), or the "overstep" 
of the trot, was comparatively short for the speed she was going at 
and argues for rapid movements of limbs. Comparing this dis- 
tance with distance of lateral feet (5.03) shows that she had length in 
proportion to her size. Her stride (19.72) was certainly good for her 
quick motion and low action. As compared with Lou Dillon, there 
was less of that tremendous reach of hind legs and less pointing back 
of fore legs, both of which accounts for the greater overstep (6.36) 
and closer distance of correlated feet or pairs of diagonal feet (3.26) 
in Lou Dillon's gait. But for that preference to off side, Alone's 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



79 



gait is a better example of regular motion combined with high speed 
than Lou Dillon's gait was at that time after her greatest days. 



2.04-in. 



FIG. 57 

I nf_ of 



U+„ 



TD 



nh 



n 

oh 



Dist. nh-nf* 5.06 ft. 
Dist. oh -of * SJH ft . 
Diff . bet pairs^.os ft. 
or .6 in . 

Average, dist-- S.03 ft. 

a c => a.d +■ dc 
~b d - <xd + <xb 
<xc- bd- dc -ab = .$ in 



Fig. 58. . 
20 distances between op- 
posite pair of feet from 
one side to the other. 
Average, 4.82. 

nh Dt5 ~ 

tance 
4.90 



nf — 

nh =-39 



F/6.59. 






2.64 in. 



IMin* 



nh 



nf 



of 



Dish nf-oh = 5.02 ft 

List, of -nh = ±62 ft 

Diff be/ Opp pairs =.40 ft 

or 4.8 in 

ad = a l> -f- bd 

b c = b d - dc 



ad -he 



a 6 + dc ^.39 ft 
Or 4.08 in 



80 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

Tn both of these cases I had no direct data regarding the shoeing, 
but in later chapters experiments with shoeing will show not only the 
absolute necessity of the greatest accuracy in shoeing, but also the 
telling effect of slight changes in hoof and shoe. The necessity of 
having the distance between the legs that move together the same will 
perhaps be self-evident. In Fig. 38 we found a difference of 0.173 ft., 
or 2.07 inches ; while in Fig. 56 there is only a difference of 0.06 ft., or 
nearly y^ inch. While such a discrepancy may be covered up by 
speed and a few extra revolutions of the legs, yet there is always this 
disturbing element in the gait that will tell in the speed for a whole 
mile. Only when such discrepancy is revealed by an investigation such 
as this can we proceed toward a remedy. 

Shoes of Alone 

Toe ((<?)) across toe 



47° *7° 

4 il in : //--x\ narrow rim .1 

S)) Toe ((j))«</w*W 

longer 



* 7 ° F/G 60 «° 

The final requirement for the completion of this analysis of Alone's 
gait will be, as with Lou Dillon, the actual position of the tracks with 
reference to lateral or side extension. There is generally much con- 
fusion about the lines of motion or the curves described by one foot 
from one track to its next one. David Roberge has demonstrated, or 
rather had laid down, the rule of "pointing" as always offering a solu« 
tion of these directions of feet. He says : "It may be stated, as an 
invariable ride, that an animal's right or wrong way of standing is 
earned out in action, whether it be slow or fast." (P. 99, The Foot 
of the Horse.) 

Lou Dillon pointed backward a little with fore legs, but her hind 
legs stood nearly straight ; while Alone pointed back a little with fore 
and forward with hind, or stood slightly under with both extremities. 
It is interesting to note that Alone, with a longer base (5.03 ft.) 
between the two pair of legs than Lou Dillon (3.26 ft.), should have the 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 81 

average distance from one pair of legs to the other, or from one side 
to the other, only 4.82 ft., while Lou Dillon shows 6.36 ft. This may 
be explained by the difference in elevation and rapidity of action. 
While the trotting mare has a sweeping and comparatively high action, 
with special development of hock movement, the pacing mare has a 
more rapid and lower action. The greater stride of Alone (19.72 ft.) 
than that of Lou Dillon (19.24 ft.) should really show the greater dis- 
tance between pairs of legs, if the action were the same. In my opinion 
the action of the trotting mare is more favorable to a continued effort 
at high speed than that of the pacing mare. 

With Lou Dillon her fore feet were straight in direction while at 
rest, and her hind toed out slightly. The hind while in motion spread 
apart somewhat, but the crossing over of fore could not be suspected 
from their position at rest. She is, however, an exception or a freak 
in gait. With Alone we come nearer to Roberge's rule. Her hind 
toed in perceptibly, while of her fore the near was more straight than 
the off when pointing at rest. In the subsequent table, Fig. 62, we 
may see this by the results ; but it should be remembered that there was 
a slight swerve to left, and this evidently caused the pointing out of 
near fore, as well as produced a straight direction or pointing of off 
fore. 

All this pointing may be natural or it may be due to faulty paring 
of hoof or to careless shoeing. To a certain extent faulty pointing 
may be corrected by paring and shoeing combined, as we shall see later. 

As in Fig. 47, so in the case of this pacing mare, measurements 
were taken by means of the track gauge with reference to a median 
line, or a string stretched in the middle between sulky wheel tracks 
and running parallel- to these. This line is staked out carefully by 
means of surveyor's pins and must follow any little deviation to right 
or left with the wheel tracks. As a condition for such measurements 
it is required that the horse be driven as straight as possible, but since 
an absolutely straight line is seldom obtained, we can depend on fairly 
accurate results even if there are slight curves to right and left. The 
curves really compensate each other, and if the trial contains one of 
each of about the same magnitude one will offset the other in the 



82 



Gait of the American Trotter a7id Pacer 



measurements. We should, however, avoid one curve to right or to 
left only, for this will throw the measurements out either to right or 
left. In Alone's case there was a swerve to left which threw the near 
hind in and the near fore out. It was all due to her endeavor to go 
from outside of track to inside, where she was accustomed to speed ; 
but even with that faulty line of direction we are able to see with 
sufficient clearness the directions of the four feet of a pacer. Even 
with the conditions of a trial of this sort we must strike a general 
average, because ideal conditions do not always prevail. 

Fig. 62 

Distance from Median Line (to Middle oe Frog) and Angi.es 

with same (+ and — ) 



HIND 



Neai 



Off 



o 

i-75 
1.50 

o* 

3-25 

5 25 

3. 
.50 
.50 

I. 



Angle 

— 3° 

— 5 

— 3 

— 3 

— 3 

— 3 

— 4 

— 3 
— . 3 

— 3 



D 

-+- 2 . 
2 75 
1. 
o 

— 3 5o 

— 3-25 

— .50 
.50 

I. 
1.50 



Angle 



4- 12.50 
— 4.25 



33- 



+ 8.75 — 44 
— 7- 25 



,+ 8.25 -33° 
[+ .825 -3.3 



+ 1.50 — 44^ 
+ .15 — 4.4 C 

* Swerved to left slightly. 



FORE 



Near 



Off 



D 



2.50 
.50 
1-75 
3-5o 
6. 

7 50 
5-5o 
3- 

2.50 
3. 



Angle 

+ 4° 
— 4 
4 
5 
4 
6 

5 
5 
6 
6 



2.50 
3- 5o 
1 75 

.50 
3. 

3-5o 
o 

1.50 
1. 
1.50 



Angle 
— 2 

— 2 
2 

— 3 

5 

— 5 

— 2 

— 3 

— 3 

— 2 



35-75 



+ 45 
— 4 



+ 11.75 

— 7- 



+ 7 
— 22 



+ 35-75 
+ 3 575 



4i 
4-i c 



4-75 —15 
•475 — i-5 c 



In Fig. 62 there are recorded, therefore, the measurements of the 
stretch of ground containing 10 contacts for each of the four feet, that 
being the best part of that trial for this final test of lateral extension. 

In the total of near hind we have again positive and negative 
measurements ; that is to say, we found middle of frog by the gauge 
to be on left of median line — or where it belongs by nature — with a 
total of -f-i 2 -5° inches, and on the right side of median line with a 
total of — 4.25. Adding these figures and dividing by 10, the total num- 
ber of contacts, we obtain the average of these deviations from median 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



H 



line. Again remembering the simple definition or corollary of algebra, 
viz : "The sum of two quantities, the one positive and the other nega- 
tive, is the numerical difference with the sign of the greater prefixed ;"' 
we have +8.25 inches for the total and +0-825 inches for the average 
lateral extension to the left on the part of near hind. In the same 
manner, as given in Fig. 62, we obtain off hind as being +0.15 inches 
on its natural side, or to right side of median line. The near fore 




£2^ 



<p ' -f ' J, oi 



TiH 



FIG. 63 



&£& 



AT r o 



being altogether on left, or its positive side of median line, we get the 
average of 3.57 inches on near side ; and for the off fore we again 
have a total on its right or positive side of 11.75 inches and a total on 
its left or negative side of — 7 inches, which added as above gives us 
-f-4.75 inches for total result, or +0.475 inches for the average lateral 
extension to its right or positive side. 

With the totals of the angles of pointing in or out, the same cal- 
culations can be made, and we have the toeing in of both hind abso- 



84 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

lutely without deviation and to the toeing out of near fore to the extent 
of an average of 4.1 °, as well as the slight toeing in of off fore to the 
extent of an average of — 1.5 . 

Perhaps it is well to bring before the reader again the application 
of the track gauge, and Fig. 63 presents the average measurement of 
near hind. We have here placed the gauge with its sharp point at A 
in middle between heels and set the distance found from A to S (0.825 
inches, approximately ^4 inch) at C to T. Then swinging BR till R 
passes through point of toe, with little cross piece a b dividing quar- 
ters into equal parts so as to locate point of toe more readily, we read 
off the indicator at B on arc O P as giving 3.3 °. Since foot is point- 
ing in or toward median line, its direction or angularity is negative 
and thus indicated by — 3.3 °. Of course, this track may be one of a 
foot on off side, in which case the distance becomes negative, or — 0.825 
inches, because it is on opposite side of median line ; and its angularity 
would become positive or -{-3.3 , because the pointing of off foot is in 
this case an outward one, or to the right, its more natural direction. 

Taking the average results as found in Fig. 62 and laying them 
out on a line at right angles with the median line, as in Fig. 64, we 
obtain an idea of the average lines of direction and of the angularity 
of each foot. This represents the actual positions and distances ac- 
cording to averages found. 

In Fig. 65 are found the actual condition of the position of feet, 
as given in Fig. 64, and also a probable condition if swerve to left in 
trial had not taken place. The two pairs of feet are placed alongside 
of each other to facilitate comparisons. 

Right here I may draw attention to a marked difference between 
the positions of hind feet in relation to fore feet. In pacers there is a 
tendency to travel closer behind than in front, while in the trotter 
there is an inclination of traveling wider behind than in front. While 
Lou Dillon's gait can not represent a standard gait, all other investi- 
gations with trotters and pacers have revealed this peculiarity. In 
fact, Lou Dillon's gait is the extreme of such an inclination when one 
considers that the crossing over of fore really means an extreme, or 
becomes a negative, approach of fore. 



Record of the Tracks on the Ground 



85 



Alone wore practically no boots. She had only a heel boot in 
front and an ankle boot behind. Lou Dillon likewise needed little or 
no protection, a heel or a bell boot in front and a shin boot behind. 
While the trotting mare exhibited a marvelous but not excessive action, 
the pacing mare showed the action apparently best suited to that gait — 



F/G.6t 



nf 

3.57 



nh 
825 



\ 



t- 



-J J 



N 



M 



.IS 
oh 



of 




N 



FIG. 65 



M 



rapidity and low elevation — and while there was a highly developed 
hock action in the trotting mare or an approximate equality between 
fore and hind action, the pacing mare showed the more usual and less 
elevated action of hock movements. 

The trot and the pace are built more or less on similar lines of 
motion, and their comparison will reveal the fact that there are certain 



86 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

common principles or laws pertaining to the rapid locomotion of the 
trotter and the pacer that may be said to give us a certain standard 
form of locomotion. Taking it all in all, therefore, the average or 
standard gait of either should result in the greatest symmetry of 
action, together with the greatest economy of energy and the greatest 
speed. It is true that there will always be horses that have their own 
way of going apparently, and this may be due to a peculiar develop- 
ment and conformation. Their defects are often entirely offset by 
muscular and structural compensations. In all such cases, however, 
the locomotion must be along lines of directness and symmetry ; other- 
wise there would always be a lack of balance and of speed. 

This method of investigating a gait will at all times give us a. 
clearef idea of such modes of motion, and therefore enable us to cor- 
rect any unevenness of gait all the more readily. In the small manual 
books, which I intend to offer for that purpose, this method is set 
forth in a more concise form, and they would materially help the in- 
vestigator in getting at the truth of an irregular or peculiar gait. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE REQUISITES OF PERFECT BALANCE. 



I. — The Constant Shape of Hoof. 

David Roberge tells us that the foot of the horse "points in the 
direction of the elevated part of the foot." His remarks deserve to be 
quoted : 

"The foot which enjoys perfect equilibrium to-day will have lost 
a portion of that equilibrium by to-morrow, and this law goes on in- 
creasing every day until the overgrowth of horn has destroyed the 
horse's due balance so that he can neither stand nor travel at ease ; thus 
showing that this extra growth of horn requires trimming and paring 
very frequently in order to preserve the balance which results from 
the maintenance of the proper size and proportions of the hoof." 

"Any increase or surplus growth of the hoof, whether at the toe 
or at the heels or the sides of the foot, will cause the horse to point 
with his foot in the direction of the elevated portion of the foot. 
Whether it be with the toe of the hoof or the toe of the shoe, he will 
invariably point in that direction." (P. 14.) 

The author says elsewhere : "* * * the normal condition of the 
foot and leg and the harmony of movement while in motion depend 
absolutely upon the perfect equilibrium of the foot." (P. 22.) 

Roberge called his principles a theory. The term is misleading, 
inasmuch as it often is used as the opposite of practice. His theory has 
the deeper and more scientific meaning of an exposition of certain 
principles upon which certain practical results or facts are founded. 
By seeking for a common cause of the difficulties of balancing and of 
the facts observed by him, he endeavored to place shoeing upon some 
scientific basis and thus eliminate from it the mystery of chance. His 

87 



88 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

theory of pointing is such an explanation of facts. It was the first 
rational effort to evolve a definite meaning of "balance," and to de- 
prive balancing of the element of luck and — ignorance. His theory of 
pointing is not sufficiently understood, I believe, and because I was 
eager to demonstrate what he simply stated from his long experience 
and convincingly based on principles, I set out on the present investi- 
gation of the two gaits. 

Too much importance has always been laid on the weight and 
shape of shoes. It was never sufficiently recognized that balance was 
not altogether in the shoe. Shoeing is always a necessary evil, and the 
bare foot is the best shod foot, unless we take careful notice of the 
hoof and its continual growth. The intelligent shoer of to-day must 
be able to do as much with the rasp to effect balance as with the mak- 
ing of a shoe. No better authority could be given to him than the 
reasoning contained in this theory of pointing. It is not impracticable, 
but is itself a line of principles applicable to all conditions and explain- 
ing facts previously found. 

Before going into demonstrations of the effects of paring and 
shoeing the hoof, I wish to call attention to the equally sound and sci- 
entific theory of paring the sole and rim of that hoof. He says : "At 
the point of union of the wall with the sole, there is a line of whitish 
horn which might be called the line of safety. The rule then is that 
every horse's foot should be cut down to this line of safety before 
having a shoe applied to it." 

As to the proper size of hoof a horse should normally have, he is 
again as positive in language, namely: 

"The white line that marks the junction of the sole and the wall 
shows precisely the size each horse's foot ought to be, other things 
being equal" (p. 56), and "all horn projecting beyond the line of union 
of sole and wall should be removed." (P. 58.) 

This is the fundamental principle of a sound foot, and the keeping 
of that horny box in a rational shape cannot help being the funda- 
mental principle of balance. It is hard to convince the "long toe man" 
of the strain of the leverage from heel to toe, and the idea is retained 
that with each stride the long toe registers half an inch or an inch 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 89 

gained. This is poor reasoning, for we deal with animal locomotion 
where energy is the fuel. The greater the leverage at toe the greater 
the energy expended, and the greater the energy expended the less 
likely can an increase of speed or of stride be expected. Granted even 
that a stride is thereby made a half inch longer, it does not follow that 
with an enforced greater energy the horse will maintain a greater 
speed for the given distance ; nor is it true that such increased leverage 
at toe will cause greater rapidity of action. 

In fact, we know by practice and experience that squared toes in- 
crease action and rapidity of motion at the expense of extension, such 
as is shown by the same foot with a round toe and under the same 
conditions. There is an exact proportion between speed, length of 
toe and energy which might well be expressed by saying that the longer 
the toe the greater the amount of energy necessary to acquire the same 
speed, and the easier the leverage at the toe the less will be the energy 
required to maintain that speed. Rapidity of action or motion, it may 
be argued, requires as much and more of that energy than the long 
sweeping stride. It is the initial effort, however, which overcomes the 
resistance of the leverage of toe, or of the length of the lever repre- 
sented by the ground surface of foot from heel to toe, that constitutes 
the greatest strain and hence the greatest initial energy. And again, 
the greatest amount of energy during action is spent in the effort of 
propulsion, and this effort is entirely placed at the toe of the foot. 

Therefore it has always seemed almost criminal to me for any 
man, be he trainer or owner, to neglect the ever-growing hoof, whether 
same be on a horse he works or on one he has turned out to pasture. 
In any well regulated business records are kept of incidents, prices or 
figures of previous years and of various matters for comparison with 
similar data of every month as it passes. Why should therefore the 
business of shoeing, that which preserves balance, be' left to an im- 
perfect memory and to guess work ? 

If the foot has a certain frontal length, say 3 inches, from tip to 
coronet, and the angle which sole and heels make with this frontal sur- 
face at toe is 49 ° and the horse is well balanced, why is this not made 
part of a record of shoeing besides the weight and shape of shoes? 



90 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

Why do we hear everything about the ounces the shoes weigh and 
nothing of the length of toe and angle of foot? Is it not reasonable 
to suppose that having once established the conditions necessary for a 
balance, that these same conditions of length of toes and angle of foot 
would bring about the same balance at the next shoeing? These same 
conditions prescribing the former length and angle of toe will show 
definitely how much of the hoof is to be rasped off. There is no error 
possible where a businesslike record is kept. There is no guess work 
possible either. Were such a record kept from one shoeing to another 
of the length of toe*, of its angle with heels or sole surface, of the size, 
weight and shape of shoes and of their application, the horse would 
have a chance to improve himself instead of being thrown off his gait 
by an approximate guess and approximate work. Were exact methods 
employed, the gait would not suffer, but would be more firmly estab- 
lished, or if in spite of this there would appear any irregularity the 
method of simple measurements as here offered would reveal the fault 
and indicate the remedy. The prevalent superstition of "leaving well 
enough alone" and all its attendant mysterious guess work has done 
the greatest harm to the proper balance of the horse. To the toe of 
the previous shoeing is added or left some more toe because the horse 
was moving well. Then at a subsequent shoeing some more toe is 
left, because it seems good to "leave well enough alone." All at once 
something happens, or speed is lost, and off comes the toe again. In 
all these operations no heed is given to the angle of the foot. It is 
lowered indiscriminately as the toe is lengthened and the leverage at toe 
is greatly increased thereby. The energy of the animal is overtaxed 
and the ease of motion ceases. Harmony of action is destroyed, and if 
speed is not diminished, the gait is apt to be of the "get-there-anyhow" 
style'. 

There is no doubt that many horses have their own peculiar gait, 
and we may therefore be obliged to conform our endeavors of im- 
provement to the limitations of that particular gait. But as a rule the 
kind of trot or pace that is productive of great speed with ease is largely 
the result of following those principles of motion given in a previous 
chapter. That means a rational development of an ideal trot or pace. 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 91 

Such a procedure, however, does not imply that horses are to be shod 
or balanced according to a preconceived plan to which they are sup- 
posed to accommodate themselves. This would be the method of per- 
sistent repetition, with its inherent make-or-break policy. It is like 
fitting round pegs into square holes or square pegs into round holes. 
In no such spirit is it urged here to conform to ideals of motion or gait 
by any such means. 

We may have to force the subject to abandon certain habits if 
conformation allows, but in order to do so intelligently we must have 
a definite knowledge of the gait and a definite understanding of the 
effects of certain changes. 

In other words, a study of the compensations in the make-up of a 
gait would enable us to strike as good an average for the movements 
and for the speed of the subject as the make-up of the subject would 
allow. The analysis offered in the previous chapter gives just such a 
definite knowledge of the matter under investigation. .From it can be 
derived that definite plan by which the gait can be ascertained at all 
times and from which such improvements could be followed as would 
tend to perfect that gait. Or again, if under such an exact method no 
definite improvement in gait and speed could be attained with all the 
skill of American shoeing at command, then it could still remain a 
quick and economical method to determine the subject's inability to 
trot or pace fast. 

In Fig. 67 is given a scheme to make a record of the make-up and 
individuality of the animal. It embraces the main points involved in 
conformation and gait for speed or the lack of it. The attitude from 
the side (profile) and that from in front (en face) are most important 
features of such a preliminary examination. Under "articulation" is 
meant the way the legs and feet are united at their joints, or how 
the extremities are hung and how they are inclined to move thereby, 
with special reference to the flatness of knee and ankle and to the free 
position of elbow and stifle joints. Under "gait and action" the direc- 
tion and elevation of leg movements are meant ; and it is important to 
designate the difference between the fore and the hind legs, which is 
so necessary in determining the harmony of motion. 



92 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

In Fig. 68 I desire to present a chart for a record of shoeings as 
they occur in the effort to improve the gait or rather to effect a proper 
balance of action. The forms of shoes are given only in outline, and 
they are left open at heels to facilitate additions in the shape of heels 
when so wanted. Calks on the web itself, in any manner desired, or 
bars at heel or toe, can be easily filled in with pencil or pen. The lines 
for the lengthwise sections of shoes can also be readily marked down 





Fig. 67. 






INVESTIGATION OF GAIT. 


Subject : 






Sire: 


Dam: 




Sex- 


Age : Color : 


Marks : 






Height : 
Length : 


Weight : 
Attitude (Profile) 




Front : 


Behind : 
ATTITUDE (En Face) 




Front . 


Behind : 
Motion (in or out) 




Front : 


Behind : 
Action 




Front : 


Behind : 
Other Points 




Shoulder : 


Neck : 


Head 


Stifle : 


Elbow : 


Hip: 


Back : 


Loin : 




Withers : 


Feet 




Size: 


Shape : 




Front : 


Front : 




Hind: 


Hind : 





for a record. Finally, the cross section of hoofs are given to show ab- 
normal development, if any, and to designate by pencil the part of the 
hoof that has been intentionally lowered, giving reason therefor. 

This, in brief, should be the record upon which should be based 
all systematic effort to effect balance. Without such a system we are 
apt to grope in the dark. Memory, be it ever so good, cannot be en- 
tirely relied on, and the necessary details upon whose exact execution 
depends the result escape our attention. For years I have worked out 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 



93 



cases by books specially designed by me in just such exact a manner, and 
find it very easy to get an inside view of the locomotion of a particular 
case. From many cases so investigated I shall present certain deduc- 







Fig. 68. 








SHOEING. 




At: 




By 




Bate: 








Near 


Fore 


Off 


Section of shoe from 
toe to heel : 


)) 

Angle : 


( 


Angle : 




Toe: 




Toe: 




Weight : 


Hind 


Weight : 




U 

Angle : 




o 

Angle : 




Toe : 




Toe : 




Weight : 




Weight : 




Feet lowered at : 






Fore 









Hind 



o 



tions which, based on actual experiments as they are, will very likely 
be of some assistance to those interested in our American trotters and 
pacers. 



94 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



II. — Paring the Hoof to Counteract Its Growth and Faulty 

Directions. 

In a previous chapter I have endeavored to prove that the stride 
of all four legs must average up the same if the horse continues to trot 
or pace. The slight increase or decrease that is now and then found 
between fore and hind legs is merely due to a temporary increase or 
decrease in speed. But to speak of one leg having a "shorter stride" 
is not only misleading, but erroneous. What is meant is that such a 
leg lacks equal forward extension. It would therefore be more cor- 




FiG.69. 




t be =• 5i/n 

J*- d dc = linn 
ang/e a 6c -38* 



-11 




rect to say that such a leg had a "short extension.'' So likewise there 
is a confusion of terms when the "long" and the "high" toe are spoken 
of. The toe can absolutely have only one dimension and that is length 
from the coronet to its tip on its frontal surface. We can not speak of 
its being "high" because even in its relation to heel it rests with latter 
on a plane considered practically level. No point in a plane can be 
higher than any other. We are now considering the unshod hoof 
whose sole surface constitutes that plane. 

In Fig. 69 we have two hoofs whose toes are both 4 inches long 
and whose lengthwise sole surface is $% inches. In both cases the 
height of the heel, or the vertical distance of d to c, is supposed to be 



Requisites of Perfect Balance t 95 

iy 2 inches. For argument's sake the angles are abnormal and impos- 
sible, being approximately 58 in one and 38 in the other case. The 
only variable point in both cases is "a," this being the point at coronet 
of frontal surface a b of toe. This point a varies in height in direct 
proportion to the size of the angle a b c. It is this point a that gives 
to the untrained eye the impression of elevated or "high" toe, while in 
reality it is a "high coronet" only. 

It is at all times possible to measure the length of toe from a to b, 
and by means of a hoof gauge, such as is seen in Fig. 70, we can readily 
determine the angle at toe, or that angle which frontal surface line of 
hoof makes with the plane of sole surface. In considering the heel it 
may be permissible to speak of a "high" and "low" heel, because of its 
more vertical and less extended dimension. The heel can be measured, 
it is true, but not accurately, and it is determined by the angle of the 
toe. It can be called "high" or "low" on account of its more fixed 
position and its small variation in dimension, which is practically on a 
vertical line and hardly exceeds y% inch in total variations. 

To illustrate the relation of heel to toe, let us look at Fig. 71. 
Here is a hoof whose continual growth is indicated in C by surface be- 
tween f e and b c. In its untouched form it appears at A. There are 
three ways of reducing the horn of the hoof, viz : 

(1) By leaving the toe and lowering the heels, as at B. 

(2) By shortening the toe and leaving the heels, as at D. 

(3) By both shortening the toe and lowering the heels, as at C. 
In the first case (B) we reduce the angle from 54 to 48 ; in the 

second instance (D), we increase the angle from 54 to 58 , and in 
the last condition (C), we have the same angle of 54 , as in A. There- 
fore, we see that the relative length of toe and height of heels determine 
the angle at toe. 

The length of the foot is most rationally and readily determined 
t>y the "white line," or that mark of Nature left at the junction of 
wall and sole of foot, and from these approximate dimensions the 
variations of heel or of toe will either open or close the angle at toe. 
If it is not safe to rasp heel down any more, we can close or decrease 
angle by leaving toe a little longer; and if toe cannot be shortened any 



96 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



more, we can close or decrease angle by lowering the heels. And, again, 
if we leave heels untouched and shorten toe, we open or increase angle 



6 '+! 

j o c = v5i//7. 
<v ang/e aSc'Sf 
cie = 2 in 



8 

a6 = 4-iri ' 
be = 6iin. 

angle obe48 c 
dc = li in- ; 




a A 3i in. 

^^JSk 7 fe '~ 5i ,n - 

~-W angle ofe> St* 
de = Jiin 




of * 3i/n. 
fc= Si in. 
angle ofcSS* 
dc = 2/n 



af"3im. 
fc = Si in. 
angle afc-S+° 
angle afg=62* 
d g - 2i /n. 



F/G. 7/ 



at toe; or if, after shortening toe, as in E, we raise heels by mechan- 
ical means, such as thicker heels of shoes, we open the angle with 
double effect, as will be seen in E quite plainly. 



Requisites of Perfect Ba la nee 9 7 

In all my experiments the rule of pointing, set forth by David 
Roberge, as regards backward and forward extension, was nearly 
always verified. A smaller angle meant forward extension and a 
larger angle brought about a backward extension. I am now speaking 
of the angle of the foot with the shoe on, inclusive of all the devices of 
intelligent shoeing that tend to forward or backward extension. 

A much more difficult matter is the lateral adjustment or balance 
of foot. Again, we are forced to put before our mental view an ideal 
attitude, or a perfect position of the legs as viewed from the front 
and from the rear. In Fig. 67 the table there given for noting on the 
subject's points, indicates this particular deviation from the perfect by 
"Attitude (en face)." 

It is generally accepted that, from both the standpoint of beauty 
and of utility, a line dividing the hoof, ankle and knee into equal halves, 
should pass through or near the point of, shoulder. This line can be 
called the axis of lateral balance for the fore leg. This line would also 
be the axis of the so-called "line trot," or rather, it indicates and stands 
for a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the horse in which the 
fore leg moves without any swinging to inside or outside. In other 
words, if the horse moves directly towards the observer, the movements 
of the fore legs should be confined to these vertical planes*. 

The same is true of the hind leg as viewed from the rear. Here 
the axis of motion should again divide the hoof, ankle and hock into 
two equal halves and pass through or near the buttock joint. This, 
again, may be called the axis of lateral balance for the hind leg. This 
line would also be the axis of the plane for the so-called '"line trot" of 
the hind leg. When, therefore, the horse moves away from the ob- 
server, this axis should indicate the perfect line of motion as regards 
lateral extension or its faults of swinging in or out. Both these ideal 
conditions for the fore and hind legs are illustrated in Fig. J2. This 
is, in fact, the attitude that should prevail with the best and the fastest, 
as well as the strongest and soundest trotters and pacers, if compen- 
sations for other faults do not mar the firmness and stability of the 
position. An illustration of such apparent equilibrium and firmness of 



9 8 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



the four legs is seen in the expression of the attitude of Sweet Marie 
2:02 (Fig. 66), and of Sonoma Girl 2:05^ (Fig. 78). 

Variations from such a perfect attitude are always in order, though 
they really strike the eye as being somewhat out of order. Take, for 




Fig. 78 



instance, the attitudes illustrated in Fig. j$. Here we have the fore legs 
closer together, with toes inwardly set as in A and outwardly set or 
possibly straight ahead as in B. And with hind feet in the same illus- 
tration approaching each other we may have either a straight direction 

Fie. 73 




of hoof or one of toeing in. In case the hind toe out excessively, we 
would be likely to have an attitude more as given in Fig. 75 ; that is, a 
tendency to the cow-hock position of hind legs. Again, in A of Fig. 73, 
we have the position of too free an elbow and a tendency to stumble 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 



99 



with possible paddling of fore. In B of Fig. 73, we have an elbow close 
to body and may have interference at knee when at speed. In A of 
Fig. 73, we may also have a possible crossing over of fore legs, although 
this is more likely to occur with B when direction or pointing of hoof, 
however, is straight ahead. 

In Fig. 74, the legs spread and the lateral extension is excessive. 
This is due to a wide breast, as in A, with a tendency to toe in, or to 
a bad direction of leg from knee down, the articulation of both knee and 
ankle joint being outward, as in B. Again, the feet in A are likely to 
paddle, and, in B, we have a tendency to interference if separation 
does not make knee hitting impossible. 

Fw. 74 




In Fig. 75, the fore legs have a common position ; namely, that of 
the regular knee hitter, the articulation of knee joint being outward 
with arm above and leg below straight in themselves. The hind legs, 
with the same tendency, are those of the cow-hocked horse, suggesting 
excessively free stifle joints and spreading as well as outward swinging 
of legs. It is entirely faulty, both for speed or ordinary work, just as 
the position in B of Fig. 74 is entirely faulty for the fore legs. 

We can readily see that even here compensations may figure 
strongly in the making of speed, or in the absence of interference. 
Without enumerating all the possible combinations of fore with hind, 
it may be left to the reader what attitude at one end, even though faulty 
according to standard in Fig. 72, may be compensated by an opposite 



IOO 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



one at the other end, so as to avoid interference and hence produce a 
good clean gait. As to the hind attitudes, it may be worth while to 
note that in trotters the tendency is from Fig. 72-B to Fig. 74-C, and 
with pacers the tendency is from the attitude in Fig. 72-B to that of 
Fig. 73-C ; that is to say, trotters are apt to spread behind, while pacers 
move hind legs closer together, and vice versa, the fore of the trotter 
are likely to approach each other, while those of the pacer are apt to 
separate more. 

The fore in A and B of Fig. 73 represent those of the trotter (as 
a rule), while the fore in Fig. 74 at A and in Fig. 75 show the tendency 
of a pacer. The latter, however (Fig. 75), is often also the attitude of 

Fig. 75 




A B 

many fore legs of trotters. There are many exceptions, and what is 
here stated is but the result of the various experiments, from which 
generalizations have been made. 

There are also many combinations of attitudes that must be left to 
the judgment of the trainer for correction, if such be possible. What 
the lateral extension of all these attitudes is, can only be found by 
the measurements with reference to the median line, as given in the 
previous chapter. Or, if this method does not appeal to some, at least 
the direction or line of motion can be ascertained by the position and 
outward or inward pointing of the tracks on ground. There is perhaps 
more lost motion, lost time and lost energy in unnecessary lateral ex- 
tension than in the action of legs as viewed in profile or from the side ; 
and, therefore, it is quite as important to accomplish good lateral 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 



101 



balance as it is to regulate the direct extension forward and backward. 
The proper balance of foot and shoe from side to side or quarter to 
quarter is, therefore, a matter that requires great skill and knowledge 
on the part of the shoer. 

It is much easier to have ground surface and angle of foot in 
correct relation. Heel and toe are readily responsive to treatment, but 
in its lateral construction the foot is often very defective." The fore 
are not evenly rounded nor are the hind of an evenly oblong shape ; 
and yet the theory of pointing is verified by the motion of misshapen 
feet. 

Q 




The foot, divided by two axes at right angles to each other, as 
given in A of Fig. j6, should, in ideal lateral balance, show equal or 
symmetrical surfaces outlined by the rim of the foot ; and the axis of 
leg, as in B, should meet rim of foot exactly at M, the apex of that 
rim or the point of the toe. Such perfect conditions do not always 
prevail, but the remedy for such desirable symmetry lies in the ap- 
plication of the theory of pointing, and in following the rule of com- 
pensation. 

By the rule of compensation is meant the general offset of one 
-defect by an increase of development in its opposite and symmetrical 
direction. In the conformation of a horse, Nature tries to offset or 



102 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



equalize faults by strength elsewhere in support of that fault. Nothing 
in the anatomy or the locomotion of the horse is really and absolutely 
perfect, and what parts of it impress us as being beautiful in outline or 
remarkable in expression, are such simply because they are placed in 
symmetrical equilibrium. We are looking at certain points around 
which are built the frame and the mass of the horse, and these points 
are but the centers of symmetry, or the centers of reference, around 
which rest or move in symmetrical proportion or symmetrical motion, 
the various parts of the animal. 




This is likewise true of the hoof, and wherever an improvement 
for a better adjustment is possible, it must be accomplished by the 
simple .principles of symmetry. 

If, for instance, the surface in the quarter section from a to c 
(Fig. 77-A), shows a so-called "wing" or outward curve, the axis of 
direction for that foot is more likely to be M N, or to one side of axis 
of leg. The offset or compensation for such a fulness of hoof is an 
extra height in its symmetrical opposite or of the quarter section a d 
in Fig. yy (A). Reducing this full surface in height, as at e to c in 



§ 
i 


ft®! 

WMr m§ * 
w i vf o 

M fir 
"7 f *- 

• 1 l) 
1 S 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 103 

B, we readjust the axis M N so that the equilibrium between the two 
halves of the foot is again established. All this is but a repetition of 
the simple yet highly ingenious theory of pointing of David Roberge. 
Again, I must tell the reader that it is not a "theory" as opposed to 
practice, but an exposition of facts found by actual experience and an 
interpretation of the principles of equine locomotion. The various parts 
of the animal mechanism engaged in this locomotion must be in equili- 
brium to bring about a proper balance. Defects must be offset in some 
manner, where possible, to cause that equilibrium. 

Perfect balance is, therefore, perfect symmetry, or it is the perfect 
equilibrium around those points of reference in the horse, whether at 
rest or in motion, by which we unconsciously judge his conformation 
and locomotion. 

"A perfect balance is perfect repose at rest," says Roberge, and to 
emphasize this dictum the picture of our California phenomenon, 
Sweet Marie 2 102, adorns the first page of this chapter. 

I now present .another marvel from my State, Sonoma Girl 
2:05^4- Like the other mare she is at "attention." In both there is 
"perfect repose" — perfect balance. 

It seems natural for these two mares to stand squarely on their 
feet. Here is an attitude worthy of study and one that should be pro- 
claimed as standard. To the lover of the horse, as well as to the 
connoisseur, this "perfect repose" seems to guarantee harmony of 
motion and symmetry of action ; it carries within itself great possi- 
bilities of endurance and of speed. Though I have had no opportunity 
to see either of these mares trot or to observe how they are shod, I 
know from experience that in spite of all their perfect balance there 
must have been expended on their development infinite care, patience 
and thought. Though Nature may have provided an almost perfect 
piece of animal mechanism, there is as much credit due to the men 
behind these mares as to the men behind the forge, because, during 
the development of such an animal in strength and capacity and speed, 
continual and intelligent attention must be given to a progressive cor- 
rection or adjustment of balance. 

The growing hoof — for it grows continually and sometimes un- 



104 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

equally — is a growing evil, as Roberge says ; and one shoeing does not 
remedy a previous fault, unless we check that growth or confine it 
within such definite limits as are required to effect the same or a better 
balance. 

The four sections of the bare foot as given in Fig. j6, indicate the 
four general directions in which the foot can ''break over" or the point 
at which there is the least resistance because it is the lowest point of 
sole surface. The leverage of foot by the tendons, as it is rocked over, 
is at such a point. Trimming the foot to offset this tendency, if neces- 
sary and possible, is quite a difficult matter and requires an appreciation 
and a knowledge of the effects in the gait. Lateral balance is one of 
the hardest things to determine, in which shoers often fail to use suffi- 
cient delicacy of workmanship. A slight rasping at any higher or 
wider point of hoof, and one that removes no more than 1/16 inch or 
even less, is often sufficient to direct the foot into a better line of 
motion. The shoe being a perfect plane — it should be so — must rest 
evenly all around against the rim of the foot. Therefore any lowering 
at a certain point will have to be carefully extended and diminished 
equally on both sides of that point, or else the shoe will not lie evenly 
against the foot. Here again we have the principles of symmetry, 
because we endeavor to tip the shoe — or its plane next to rim — toward 
the point we lower. Merely lowering the hoof at one place of small 
area does not give that plane the correct and effective incline. 

Perhaps it is unnecessary to explain these matters to farriers, and 
this book is not written entirely for them, but rather for the many 
men who spend their money and time for the rational development of 
the trotter and pacer. That is why I insist on recording the peculiar- 
ities of either gait for the sake of correcting their faults ; and the diffi- 
culty of lateral balance, or the direction of foot to either right or 
left, compelled me to find exact positions of feet and their angles by 
a median line, or a line of reference midway between sulky wheels, as 
given in Fig. 62. Although accuracy is required and an instrument 
(Fig. 44) is necessary, no other or simpler method suggested itself. 

Experiments have proved to my mind that the principal work to be 
done to effect a proper balancing of gait, or of motion and direction 



Requisites of Perfect Balance . 105 

of feet, lies in the shaping or trimming of the hoof itself. I have 
a profound respect for the men who devise shoes to overcome faults of 
gait, but in all complicated patterns of shoes so made there is a fun- 
damental idea which can, by simplification of shoe and proper trim- 
ming of foot, be made just as effective. Great speed, or any reason- 
able speed, incurs danger of injury to the limbs of the horse, and the 
simpler the shoes, or the more compact in design, the less danger is 
there from missteps, interference, shocks and twists. 

The final test of all shoeing rests in its serviceableness. Designs 
that wear off quickly require too frequent a shoeing, which proves 
injurious to the hoof. Therefore simplicity of design is one of the 
important requisites of shoeing. Shoeing should be secondary in im- 
portance to trimming the hoof according to the rules of pointing. It 
should supplement the defects of the hoof and induce such changes 
in gait as tend to restrain or aid extension and action. And again 
I must remind' the reader that the real effect, the actual outcome, of 
all this combination of trimming the foot and protecting it, called 
shoeing, can only be accurately obtained by an investigation of which 
this book treats. Even with such definite knowledge it will be diffi- 
cult enough to work out this problem of balance, but it seems a far 
saner way than to mystify ourselves by trusting to luck or haphazard 
changes, which are bound to land us in a labyrinth of confusion. 

The analysis of the gaits is after all no mystery at all and trainers 
would do well to become familiar with its main features if not with 
its details. There are always enough highly skilled farriers, to do 
one's bidding just right and they would succeed a little better still 
in the way of balancing a horse if they had the trainer's definite 
knowledge of the horse's gait and its deficiencies. Accuracy, scientific 
accuracy, time, perseverance and thought will accomplish a great deal, 
and in these there is no mystery, except it be in their happy com- 
bination as often seen in the genius of the man behind the horse. 

Very much depends on the proper use of the hoof gauge (Fig. 
44) to ascertain the angle of toe with the surface or plane of sole. 
The plane A D B in Fig. 79 represents the surface of sole and the 
plane L C H is at right angles with it and is supposed to contain the 



io6 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



axis of leg, or the perpendicular line dividing the leg into symmetrical 
halves. At E we have the point of toe of a foot and the angle of such 
a point (K E H) if measured by any line, such as E K in this perpen- 
dicular plane. The angle sought is therefore contained in two planes 




Fig. 79 

at right angles with each other, one of them cutting lengthwise into two 
halves the hoof in question, whose sole surface rests on the other or 
horizontal plane. 

The hoof guage denotes the angle exactly in that manner. In case 
the frontal surface of hoof is uneven or bulgy, such uneven line could 







be averaged by the eye by means of a small thumb-screw in frontal bar 
of gauge, as given in Fig. 80, where the bar is parallel with the main 
frontal line of hoof. It is also well to rasp off a little bulge in outline 
so as to adjust the gauge properly. Ordinarily the difficulty of a nice 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 



IO' 



adjustment is not so great; but unless the frontal line is well defined 
and closely follows bar of gauge, there is likely to be a difference 
between opposite feet, which may account for an irregularity of gait. 
The bulging coronet, and the dished toe, is the most annoying combi- 
nation, as at A, which can only be averaged up by front line of gauge. 

The range of angles for front feet is from 45 to 52 and for hind 
feet from 48 to 55 °. In the natural state, the hind foot is generally 
steeper than the fore foot, just as the hind pastern is generally steeper 
than the fore pastern. The direction of the pastern is recommended as 
the indication for direction of frontal line of hoof. This direction of 
pastern continued on hoof to ground seems to present the most natural 
leverage for leg at toe. As a rule, the fore feet should have same angle 
with regard to each other, and so, likewise, the hind feet. 

Right here a few remarks about "pointing" will illustrate its prac- 
tical application. If we have the near fore at 49 °, and the off fore at 

1 B 



S/° 



C\- 



-4 ^f«r 



+9° 

F/g. 8/ 

51 °, their relative extensions can be presented, as in Fig. 81, where 
C D — the near fore — extends farther forward but correspondingly less 
backward than off fore, A B ; both moving in the direction from B to A 
and from D to C. 

Photography has shown — and the tracks on ground testify to the 
same fact — that the heel of the stiffly extended leg is the first to strike 
the ground. It, therefore, seems reasonable to suppose that the lower 
the angle — that is, the lower the heels — the greater the forward ex- 
tension ; and because the heel leaves the ground first, or before the toe, 
it is evident that the less the angle of the foot, or the lower the heel, the 
less will be its backward extension. So that with these two feet of 
different angles, we find a greater pointing forward by C D or near 
fore, which has the lesser angle. In both these cases it is presumed 
that length of toe is the same. 



io8 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

I do by no means advocate any indiscriminate or sudden change 
Oi angles to effect a change in pointing. Sudden changes are always a 
menace to soundness and something is likely to snap or break. 

It should be remembered that a difference of i° or 2° makes quite 
a difference in the height of the heel, even at so small a distance of 
4 to 6 inches, which is generally the length of foot. A strict ad- 
herence to definite angles cannot be too strongly recommended, pro- 
vided suitable angles have been found. Proper angles and their repe- 
tition at each shoeing insure safety from injury to the tendons. But 
even with all the care of angles the ground should be consulted and 
notes should be taken of any concussion of web of shoe. Where per- 
sistent striking of ground by parts of the shoe is seen something must 
be wrong. If it is at heels, they are either too high or too long in foot 
or shoe. If it is at toe alone there is generally a weakness of extension 
of foot which is hard to- remedy. And again, if these concussions occur 
in the region of the quarters they point to a wrong direction or axis of 
leg or foot, or of both. In all such observations we may or we may 
not effect a cure, but we are at least always aware of the real dis- 
turbing causes. We are not groping entirely in the dark as we do 
when we change shoes only just to try something else and judge the 
gait entirely from the seat of the sulky. Incidentally, I may remark that 
subsequent trials or experiments will show the advisability of unequal 
lengths of feet and of unequal angles where deficiencies exist. The 
greater the speed, however, the smaller the changes necessary. 

III. — The Shape of Shoes as a Corrective of Gait. 

A few remarks on the shoes to be applied are now in order. Since 
I do not claim to be a farrier, the question of , the kind of shoe to be 
applied should in fairness be left to the skilful man at the forge. Our 
country has brought out some great men in that line of work. The 
development of the standard bred horse has shown that in a remark- 
able manner. All I want to insist on and emphasize with much ardor 
is that shoes so made and applied should always show the foot to come 
in contact with ground firmly, distinctly and lightly. There must be 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 109 

no apparent distress by concussion and no loss of time by the slip- 
ping and sliding of any part of the shoe. Only when the contact with 
the ground by the shoes is firm, distinct and light can the horse be said 
to move with ease and effect in his endeavor for speed. Any other 
evidence on the ground may reasonably be taken as showing both de- 
fective gait and imperfect shoeing. 

The capacity to take infinite pains has been given as the definition 
of genius. It is this fine spirit that marks the American trainer of trot- 
ters and pacers ; and the wish to help him in his work is largely re- 
sponsible for the publication of this book. The trainer, and for that 
matter the owner, should be able to minutely advise the farrier as to 
how the horse moves and handles itself. He should know the gait by 
the record on the ground and should be able to tell what he wants. 
However much he may hope to accomplish all the work in the sulky, it 
would at times be a good plan for him to stand off and watch his 
horse move past him driven by an understudy. This would give him 
time for observation and possible calculation of ground evidence, all 
of which is by no means lost time. It does one good to get away 
from the grind of everyday routine and do a little gazing and figur- 
ing. To rest one's hands and think has to my knowledge often been 
the beginning of better work afterwards. 

Aside from the fact that the iron rim called a shoe is a protec- 
tion for the brittle horn of the foot, there enter into its effect on the 
gait two distinct qualities, namely, weight and shape. Judging from 
what one hears generally of shoeing or any particular change in shoes, 
the most important feature of it seems to be weight. So many ounces 
in front and so many ounces behind is the whole song of shoeing one 
hears. Never a word of shape, or toe or heel or angle, but always 
weight and weight as the paramount issue ! In all his discourse on 
pointing, Roberge hardly ever mentions weight, but he does harp con- 
stantly on the shape of the foot and the shape of the shoe. Weight 
has only relative value; that is, when applied in conjunction with 
certain conditions of angle and toe length. Our ultimate aim in bal- 
ance should be the principle: the lighter the shoe the better for the> 
horse. The effect of weight is not fully understood and the import- 



no 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



ance of mere weight is largely overestimated. Weight in general in- 
creases action. Under certain conditions, it increases extension or reach. 
With the fore foot it develops the folding of knee and the trajectory 
or path of toe is more elevated and is likely to be less extended, while 
with the hind foot it also develops elevation with certain shaped shoes, 
but as a rule causes more extension or reach of foot. On the whole, 
weight all round steadies the horse in gait, but at the expense of his 
energy. Its temporary use is a good educational course ; as also are 
unequal weights on opposite fore or hind feet, which may be required 
to equalize action and extension. All this I shall endeavor to show 
in the results of experiments made. 

The shape of the shoe is by far the more important part of shoe- 



Groovel toes 





Tolling motion 





outside /tee/ longer 
grooved web 

F/6.S2 



xScoopeat toe 
Ca/As on heels 



ing. This has a direct- influence on the direction of the leg as well 
as its motion. Usually shapes so given or illustrated never present 
the longitudinal section of shoe but only its horizontal section ; and 
the shoe is given with ground surface up or as applied to uplifted 
foot. A crosscut lengthwise of the entire web of shoe is as essential 
in understanding its effect as the flat surface drawing. In Fig. 
68, which gives a blank record page of proposed shoeing, the shoes are 
represented as being on a standing horse ; and it is presumed that the 
view of these patterns is from above, with sole surface of shoe on 
ground and with the direction of motion the same as in riding or driv- 
ing the animal. In Fig. 82 such a view and direction is represented. 
Any peculiarity, such as swelled or grooved web, scooped or grooved 
toe, or calked heel, is given directly as it is on ground surface and as it 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 1 1 1 

would affect the gait of the horse in the direction of the arrow. There 
is some confusion of ideas of the shape of the shoe by inverting it, 
because when we look at a shoe of right hind foot, for instance, we 
generally handle it with ground surface- towards us and heels down, so 
that a longer outside heel would appear to be on the inside, and so 
forth, something like the image of a subject in a mirror. 

If the designation or scheme of Fig. 82 is not agreeable we should 
logically present the four shoes as in Fig. 83, where they appear as on 
the uplifted leg, namely, with heels up and toes down. With the un- 
derstanding that the direction of moving feet is as indicated by arrow, 
this would in reality be the more desirable and perhaps more logical 
representation. But I believe that Fig. 82 is more easy of compre- 
hension if we imagine the true character of ground surface indicated 




as if showing through shoe, as there given. At all events the "point- 
ing" of foot is better understood and corrected, if possible, by view- 
ing them as set on ground and pointing in the direction in which the 
natural motion of the horse proceeds. Therefore I have adopted it as 
the most convenient plan for records of past shoeings and of improve- 
ments based on the results of my analysis of gait. 

The great underlying principle of rocking motion as exemplified 
in all flesh-footed animals should never be lost sight of in the con- 
struction of a shoe designed not only for speed, but also for preserving 
soundness of leg. I believe that the trotter and pacer have been 
grossly sinned against in the name of speed by the construction of 
shoes solely to effect speed, or rather to correct in some forcible way 
the interference of feet or the action of legs. Weight in front and. 



112 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



calks behind have done no end of harm ; but to-day there is evidently 
a tendency for simplicity in shape and lightness in weight, and this is 
a move toward a better and less forced gait. 

The rolling motion shoe appears to-day, if not in its pure form, at 
least as the fundamental idea of construction, for we cannot disregard 
its great advantages when modified so as to prevent slipping or undue 
high action. 




F/a. 8*. 

In the Figs. 84-87 I have endeavored to show the relative effect 
of the plain shoe and calked plain shoe, as compared with its corre- 
sponding rolling motion form. The curve M N is in each case an arc 
of a circle and this arc, by its longer or shorter radius, is meant to in- 




dicate the longer or the shorter contact of foot with ground. A B is a 
lever whose real fulcrum will be at B, when on ground. The ground 
surface of this lever is straight, and the longer A B the slower will 
be the motion of the points A and B, and hence the longer the contact 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 



"3 



with ground. If, however, this leverage is aided by a number of in- 
termediate points which in succession act as fulcrums with short lever- 
age, the motion of points A and B will be quicker, and hence the shorter 
will be the contact with ground. That is to say, the arc M N repre- 
sents in reality the degree of rotation of the foot, and the slower the 




Fig. 86. 

leverage from heel to toe the less will be the rotation or elevation of 
that foot; and the quicker the leverage from heel to toe, the greater 
will be the rotation or elevation of that foot. This arc M N, or the 
length of its radius, or the degree of its curves or rotation, depend 




therefore directly on the length of A B or rather the distance of A to 
the nearest point coming in contact with ground after A. Therefore, 
to quicken and elevate action and particularly to minimize leverage at 
toe, the rolling motion shoe in its various forms will always remain a 
sensible type of construction. 



1 14 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

The rolling motion shoe has found favor principally as applied 
to fore feet, but it is as favorable in its effect in the hind action. In 
Fig. 87 is represented a hind shoe that is safe and well adapted to in- 
crease hock action without increasing extension ; that is to say, like 
all the rocker pattern shoes, it shortens the radius of rotation and 
thereby lifts the foot higher and more quickly. 

The general objection to higher action behind is the fear of loss 
of forward extension ; and with this fear is coupled the struggle to get 
the fore feet out of the way of the hind feet. All of this proves that 
the action and extension of the hind feet have been much neglected, 
or but little understood. My experiments will throw some light on 
this question. 

Again, the use of square toes, as may be expected, shortens the 
extension and quickens the action because of the shorter leverage be- 
tween heel and toe. Bars across the heels of shoes, besides acting as 
a protection, have the effect of rolling foot forward by preventing a 
sinking or anchoring of heels in ground. Likewise the various appli- 
cations of calks on web of shoe, lengthwise or crosswise, or the full 
bar across the whole shoe, as in the so-called "Memphis shoe," are 
nothing but a modification of the rocker pattern with the added im- 
provement of safety from slipping and of effectiveness in taking hold 
of the ground. The various devices known to all good shoers, such 
as the creasing of shoe, or bars, or concave or scooped toe, or 
weighting web, and all the rest, must be left to the emergencies of each 
case ; but I believe that most devices applied are unnecessary tortures 
added to hard training ; and their effect can be produced better by 
proper training or balancing of hoof itself and in most cases are ap- 
plied merely because they are presumed to improve the gait. No 
ground evidence is sought, and the improvement of the gait remains a 
matter of chance and of guess-work. 

IV. — Simplicity of Rig and the Need of Time. 

Let us now consider the various devices of straps and boots and 
poles and bits and harness and checking the head. As with shoes, so 



Requisites of Perfect Balance 115. 

with the regalia which bedeck the trotter and pacer when he appears 
on the arena to fight his battle — let it all be simple, sensible and natural. 
Nothing strangely complicated and suggesting either an abnormal mind 
or an abnormal animal should be used or seen on the track when the 
starter lines them up. Nearly all devices are or should be of tempo- 
rary use only, or for educational purposes only. The horse appear- 
ing on the track for a race should be a graduate from his training 
school and should be free from extraordinary or unsightly para- 
phernalia of any kind. And, furthermore, should the trotter and pacer 
appear at ease to please the eye of the spectator. No matter what train- 
ers may say or claim for the defense of high checking, the mere fact 
that it looks cruel besides unnatural should classify it among those 
remnants of darker days which in the process of evolution refuse to 
slough off. 

Much as I have been a believer in the free head, there is some 
reason for the humane use of the check line with reference to balance. 
Any excess, however, in this line of rigging is not only an eyesore, but 
an act of cruelty. As in other parts of this book I have advocated 
simplicity as being a part of ideal motion and ideal gait, so here like- 
wise I must insist that the free head should be a part of those ideals. 
It may be urged that we never have ideal conditions and therefore can- 
not have ideal motion and ideal gait. But all endeavors for improve- 
ment in any line of activity in human life rest on what we conceive to 
be perfect, regardless of the various compromises that result from 
such endeavors and fall short of our expectations. All progress prac- 
tically rests on what idea we carry in our mind of the perfect object. 
Were it not for such a mental picture, ambition would cease to exist 
and all growth of knowledge would stop. Therefore ideals are as nec- 
essary for the training of our trotters and pacers as they are for any 
pursuit where development is sought and effected. 

The free head generally results from an easy mouth, that ideal 
quality of a good roadster ; and this again depends not only on the 
good condition of the teeth, which like the feet need continual atten- 
tion, but also on the hand of the trainer. Too heavy a hold of the 
lines adds neither to the appearance nor to the utility of the horse. 



n6 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

There is no doubt but what the carriage of head and neck, to- 
gether with their size and weight, must be considered in the matter of 
balance. In any correction of gait, however, they are not of primary 
but rather of secondary importance. First balance must be effected 
through the foot and the shoe, and with a tolerably or an entirely free 
head ; and then only should recourse be taken to higher checking or to 
other paraphernalia. The less we hamper the horse by boots and 
harness or by weights or poles or other devices, the better for his effi- 
ciency. If the breeding and development of the standard bred horse 
is carried on with these principles in mind, or with such ideals of gait 
and action, his training and preparation will become easier and his ap- 
pearance more agreeable and natural. 

This whole matter of such progressive methods which are likely 
to bring about simpler conditions can be left safely to the common 
sense and ingenuity of our American trainers. These will continue to 
take infinite pains in the development of our unique type of standard 
bred horses, and to them is due the intelligence, pluck and usefulness 
of the animal. 

The last, and often strangely considered the least, requisite of 
balance is time. We cannot expect an immediate result from any 
change of adjustment of foot and shoe. The set conditions of a pre- 
vious shoeing under which the muscles have developed will in a meas- 
ure interfere with the results of a subsequent shoeing. These hold- 
over conditions affect also the tendons and ligaments to a degree pro- 
portionate to the length of time that those former conditions pre- 
vailed. Sudden and complete changes are also fraught with danger. 
Only by means of gradual changes and always with a definite object 
in viezv, as well as with the records of all changes at hand, can a per- 
fection of gait be logically and safely brought about. In all experi- 
ments or changes it is of paramount importance to vary one thing at a 
time. The demand for a quick correction of gait is too prevalent, and 
the result is that too many changes at one shoeing confuse the effects 
of remedies. We deal with an animal mechanism of delicately joined 
parts, and these parts will not allow a readjustment of its machinery 
at a moment's notice. Insistence on a marked change, or the total ab- 



Requisites of Pei'fect Balance 1 1 7 

sence of a definite plan or record of gait, is likely to render those parts 
liable to a strain and breakdown. It is therefore desirable to allow a 
large amount of time as a necessary factor in balancing a horse. It 
has happened that after horses have been turned out or given a rest 
from continued drilling and wrong balancing, they resume their work 
with better prospects. That is really because nature had time to re- 
adjust the animal machinery, and the horse could start under better 
conditions, or under conditions suited to its capacity. It shows the 
danger or the folly of forcing balance. This "make-or-break" policy 
is based on impatience and the rush spirit of this country. It has no 
foundation in common sense or logic or science. By granting time 
it is not understood that conditions for balancing should be "cut and 
dried" beforehand and that the process of balancing is to be one of 
making the horse accommodate itself to these preconceived ideas 
of balancing. Such an allowance of time is not meant, but rather 
such time as is required for a careful investigation and understanding 
of the gait of that particular horse and for the logical correction of 
that gait by means of the records of the results of each corrective shoe- 
ing. What many and careful experiments have taught me and what 
seem to be the rules applicable to all kinds of horses, I shall endeavor 
to show in the following chapters. 



CHAPTER VI. 



EXPERIMENTS AND THEIR VERIFICATION. 



I. General Considerations. 

The difficulty of experiments of this sort lies in the fact that the 
locomotion of the horse is a complex affair, and that the conditions 
and causes from which this locomotion proceeds are very numerous. 
In presenting the conclusions of such experiments it is hardly neces- 
sary or feasible to give the original measurements as was done in a 
previous chapter. The computations may be relied on as correct. With 
all the opportunity, accuracy and perseverance at my command, all 
my experiments were made with a view of drawing from them some 
general principles applying to all cases. While David Roberge's 
theory of pointing was used as a basis, there appeared in these experi- 
ments certain discrepancies between it and my results, which at times 
called for an independent line of reasoning. I believe that all ob- 
servation and deduction in any investigation should be as free as pos- 
sible from the influence of authority on that subject; for, without the 
right of independent thought or without a spirit of dissent for the sake 
of the truth, no progress can well be realized. No authority should 
be considered as entirely final or unassailable, even though it furnish 
us with a certain guidance or mental discipline. We can, I believe, be 
both critical and just at the same time, and this has been my endeavor 
in dealing with the ingenious principles of Roberge. 

Granting, therefore, the assistance derived from the theory of 
pointing, this investigation was nevertheless carried out to establish 
facts not contained therein and to prove independently whether at all 
times and under the same conditions the results would give a general 
law. All repetitions of like effects from like causes must give such a 

118 



Experiments and their Verification 119 

general law. It is the rule for all experiments, especially where so 
many conditions prevail as in balancing equine locomotion, to vary but 
one thing at a time. When the observer is face to face with a case for 
which an immediate remedy is asked, he is apt to rush into at once 
applying various changes. Time, which is so essential a part of bal- 
ance, is not granted, and impatience demands a quick remedy. A lack 
of knowledge of the intricate inter-relation of the four moving legs 
and the indifference to any proof, such as measurements show, will 
leave the matter of improving the gait to the doubtful process of 
guessing. 

These facts make experimenting extremely difficult, and sometimes 
unsatisfactory. If, therefore, one change in shoeing does not prove to 
be beneficial, it should not be conclusive evidence that such a change in. 
itself is harmful. Another change in combination with the first may 
lead to better results. But without any evidence such as the ground 
produces, norational improvement of the various conditions of balance 
can be effected. What evidence is there? has always been my query 
previous to planning my present analysis of gait. It was on this ac- 
count that I was not quite fully convinced of the truth of all of Ro- 
berge's assertions, no matter how plausible and conclusive they ap- 
peared to be, until repeated experiments proved his theory of pointing 
to be correct in its main principles and deductions. This method of 
analyzing the gait revealed certain facts, and the experiments based on 
them yielded results which seemed to prove the usefulness of such an 
investigation. The method itself is a logical indicator of correction 
and may aid the natural ingenuity of the American farrier in the ap- 
plication of the proper shoes. The more I saw that practical and 
permanent results came from a methodical analysis of a gait, the 
more it became evident that at all stages of development it was neces- 
sary to have an absolute proof not only of the manner of motion, but 
also of the results of the applied corrections. 

It has seemed to me that the presentation of this whole matter of 
the analysis of the gait is a little premature, inasmuch as it does not 
give as ample a proof for the pacer as it does for the trotter, and be- 
cause the corrective shoeing here discussed may not cover every case 



120 Gait of the American Trotter and Pace?' 

in question. But time and opportunity bid me make as good an offer- 
ing as is possible after much patient inquiry and effort. The experi- 
ments worked out on many subjects were sufficiently verified, I think, 
to warrant certain generalizations. Given, therefore, a certain manner 
of equine locomotion, the correction of any faults of it may be worked 
out on such general principles rather than on lines of specific remedies 
for each individual case. At any rate, my method of analyzing the 
gait will serve a good purpose even if the applications of remedies 
differ from those of mine. To my critics I will say that nothing 
would please me more than if they "go me one better" in the propei 
correction of a faulty gait by means of my method of analysis or by 
any other method except guess-work. 

These preliminary remarks are intended to impress upon the 
mind of the reader the importance of correct data on every case under 
investigation. In balancing the horse in motion one is apt to be guided 
by the imperfect observations of the eye when such definite data are 
not obtained. 

Shoeing itself is ah art, but the correction of faults of gait by 
means of shoeing and trimming the foot should be worked more on 
the exact lines of a science. When farriers, therefore, are endeavor- 
ing to remove an actual rather than a probable cause of a faulty gait, 
they will be able to do work with more satisfaction to themselves. 

A remedy in shoeing, such as shape or weight of shoe or length 
and angle of toe, may not be a permanent one and yet have a good 
temporary effect. That is to say, we may safely apply a different shoe 
on one foot for a time only in order to correct the motion of a certain 
leg, if we have found such leg deficient in action or extension. Or, 
again, we may find, also by this analysis, that there is a structural fault 
in the leg or the foot which calls for a permanent remedy in the shape 
or weight of a shoe different from the other three. For instance, one 
leg may be shorter and we may correct the defect by a permanent 
lengthening of that leg or shortening of opposite leg. Then there is 
the "hitch" behind and that peculiar laboring in front, which both 
cause a rough and unsatisfactory gait. It means but an unequal ex- 
tension of opposite legs, and no horse can produce a smooth and square 



Experiments and their Verification 121 

gait with these faults uncorrected. Though the ear may listen and the 
eye may strain to catch the irregularity, they cannot come up to the 
evidence on the ground. 

Again, it should be borne in mind that the proper balance of a 
horse's action, whether it be at slow or fast speed, produces that quality 
of motion which with the least exertion brings about the most regular 
and even action. 

I have always been of the opinion that the neglect of the hind 
action is responsible for a good part of the problems of balance. In 
many horses we cultivate an excessive action in front for the avowed 
purpose of clearing fore feet from hind feet ; and at the same time we 
do nothing to regulate the hind action. With the hope of bringing 
about a greater separation between fore and hind feet so as to pre- 
vent interference, all efforts seem to be directed toward higher action 
in front. Somehow it is assumed that such a course will cause the fore 
to extend forward more and avoid interference thereby, besides in- 
creasing speed. My observations lead me to believe that such en- 
deavors are based on a lack of knowledge of the inter-relation of the 
four legs. 

Extremely high action in front must always be considered faulty 
from the standpoint of utility, as well as from that of beauty. It 
does not conform to a proper idea or definition of balance. There is 
also another consideration against it, namely, that of its effect on hind 
action. Somehow the action behind is hardly ever a subject of cor- 
rection. It is left severely alone because the prevalent idea about it 
has been that hind legs should reach as far forward as possible so as 
to get a good forward hold on ground and effect propulsion. But in 
all my experience it has always been noticed that the action at both 
extremities, that is, the sum total of both actions, is nearly a fixed 
quantity with every horse. It may be slightly increased or diminished 
as a whole by shoeing and by the consequent development or disuse 
of certain muscles and tendons ; but on the whole the distribution of 
action between fore and hind could be indicated by the figures 3 and 2, 
or by saying that three-fifths of the action belongs to the fore and 
two-fifths to the hind legs. Some may hold it is still more in dispro- 



122 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

portion and may set the figures at 3 and 1. Whether its total is repre- 
sented by 5 or by 4, there seems to be a mutual exchange of action 
between the two extremities. If, for instance, in Fig. 88 we assume 
A B (5) and A' B' (4) to represent the total action of both extremities, 
then N or N' will indicate the fixed proportion between the portions 
of the line it divides as given. While A B is more or less fixed, N is 
likely to be variable or may be assumed to be so. Whichever way N 
may move, it establishes the ratio of action by its division of the line 
A B. If A N represents the front action, then N B, the remainder, 
will show the hind action. If the front action is increased, as in 
second diagram, to A' N' again, the remainder N' B' will indicate the 
hind action. This is offered only as an illustration of the apparent 

F 1 0.88 

1 — 1 i 

A N 6 



V 


A N : 
A' N': 


N" 
NB - 3: 2 
N'B'^4: / 


... . Ll , 1 
N' 


I 



counter effect of one action on the other. If, for instance, hind action 
is supposed to be increased to B' N", the front action will diminish and 
will be shown as A' N". This is not to be taken literally, but only as 
an indication of the mutual influence of front and hind action. 

It illustrates my observations regarding the mutual exchange be- 
tween fore and hind legs of that nearly fixed total action of both ex- 
tremities. That is to say, the more action in front the less action be- 
hind, and, vice versa, the more action behind the less action in front. 

Elsewhere the importance of the services of the trained eye and 
ear have been emphasized ; and in this question of action, which by 
continual representation fixes itself before the observer, the eye must 
also be called upon to judge. Again, it is urged that any judgment on 
the gait should be passed only by some one on the ground while the 
horse passes by, or, better yet, by some one driving alongside the sub- 



Experiments and their Verificatio?i 



I2 3 



ject of observation. The man in the sulky, important as his function 
is, cannot quite form a correct idea of the action of the horse. 

As regards the idea that speed requires extreme forward ex- 
tension and with it the long toe, toe weights, and what not, it is only 
necessary to recall the illustrations of a previous chapter concerning 
the pendulum-like swing of leg as a requisite of perfect balance. Per- 
fect balance will not produce unsoundness such as curbs and swelled 
tendons, but too great a forward extension is apt to do so. In Fig. 89 
are given the points of shoulder (A) and buttock (B) of a moving 
horse. The pendulum swing of fore and hind leg is indicated by A M, 
A N, B M' and B N', these being at equal distances from the vertical 
or dotted line. The weight of the horse seems well supported and 
the parallelogram representing the body and legs of horse moves in 




M 



p N 



o' M' 



p' N> 



F/G. 89 



good symmetry. But let us force the forward extension of legs as in- 
dicated by A O and B O', and we shall have a corresponding lesser ex- 
tension backward, as in A P and B P\ It is apparent that the support 
or stability of the parallelogram is weakened every time it is in the 
position O A B O', or at extreme extension of A O and B O'. Add to 
this the fact that the line A B, representing the body of the horse, is, 
in consequence of such excessive forward extension, lowered more 
than when such extension is normal, it is plainly seen how unnatural 
and dangerous such a forced extension may become. 

This diagram will illustrate what is erroneously called "lengthen- 
ing the stride," which in reality means increasing the forward ex- 
tension. The danger of such a process becomes apparent when both 
extremities act in the same manner; the belief being held that some- 
how the hind legs ought to do what the front ones do. While they 



124 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

ought not do likewise, nothing is done to make hind legs do otherwise, 
and there lies the trouble. 

In a previous chapter I have tried to show the difference between 
the curves of motion of fore and hind. The fore, by the nature of 
their flexion, will describe a longer and higher curve, while the hind, 
incapable of as great a flexion, describe a lower and more direct curve ; 
and it will 'be noticed in the pictures of the horses in motion that while 
the hind foot does — and should — strike the ground together with its 
correlated fore foot, it does leave the ground often a little after the 
fore; and, again, wherever it does so there is a good backward ex- 
tension and a good action of the hind legs. 

At all times when a horse is going squarely, whether trotting 
or pacing, and is balanced well, the fall of each pair of feet should 
take place exactly at the two time-beats. No irregularity about such 
synchronous contact of the two correlated feet can or should possibly 
exist when the gait is perfect. 

This lingering backward contact of hind would therefore indicate 
that wherever we induce the legs — especially the hind ones — to extend 
forward to excess we lose this full effect of propulsion ; that is, we 
lose the necessary backward extension during which propulsion seems 
to be and is far more effective. Such equalizing of fore and hind 
action is not an easy matter of a few weeks, but will take months. It 
should be done during the winter months, when shoeing and gaiting is 
only too often lost sight of and neglected. It is then just as important 
as it is shortly before meetings, for time is an essential factor in any 
attempts at balancing. This is the more rational period to produce the 
greater separation between fore and hind than all subsequent attempts 
in a hurry can possibly be. On the whole, I think it reasonable not to 
over-develop the action of fore and to pay more attention to the greater 
development of hind action. The usual advice given about the inter- 
ference of hind with fore — and it sounds as wise as it is indefinite — 
is "to quicken and round up his action in front and shorten his stride 
behind." Stress should be laid again on the entirely erroneous ex- 
pression of "shortening the stride." In another place I have taken 
exception to this idea of "stride," for we cannot shorten the stride of 



Experiments and their Verification 125 

any one or of any two legs and let the rest of them go along at a longer 
stride. At that rate the fore would become separated from the hind 
to such an extent that they would no longer be parts of the same horse. 
A stride is a step, or a distance from toe to toe or heel to heel of the 
same leg, as the fashion may be. We can therefore shorten the four 
strides of the jour legs at the same time, but we cannot reduce the 
stride of one or two of them. 

The trouble is that "stride" is erroneously used for "extension" 
and particularly for forward extension. "Shortening a stride" must 
therefore be placed in the same pigeonhole as "a cross-firing trotter" or 
"a scalping pacer," all coming under the heading of "human error." 
What is really meant is that the forward extension of hind should be 
checked and a greater backward extension effected. Hence my plea 
for the power and effect of proper backward extension. This, in fact, 
is done nowadays to a larger extent by leaving the angle of hind toe 
greater by 3 to 5 degrees than that of the fore, and by having the toe of 
the hind shorter by ^ to ^ of an inch than that of the fore. It is a 
double application of the theory of pointing, namely, by decreasing the 
pointing forward with a shorter toe and increasing the pointing back- 
ward by a higher heel. There is also, with these remedies, the usual 
one of more or less lengthened heels of shoe to ease contact and to 
direct foot. It is at all times more preferable and rational to limit 
the extent of these long heels of shoe, and the "freak" shoes of former 
years having these are fortunately a thing of the past. 

II. — The Turns of the Track and the General Directions of 

the Feet. 

In dealing with the irregularity of extension, especially in fore 
legs, mention was made in a previous chapter of the habit horses have 
of reaching forward with either left or right in preference. In the 
gaits of the saddle horse this is a well-known feature, but we are not 
so conscious of such a preference in the trotter and pacer. Investi- 
gations, however, have proved that a subject will habitually set one 
fore foot ahead of the other. It is not a harmful habit, provided the 
difference of extension does not become excessive. 



126 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



On the turns of our oval tracks the so-called "left habit" is not a 
bad acquisition. Ordinarily the horse will lean to the left, thereby 
shifting its center of gravity to the inside and counteracting the cen- 
trifugal force which tends to send the body straight ahead on a tan- 
gent to that curve. What is true of the fore legs in this respect is also 



FIG. SO. 

trotter around turn 




true of the hind legs. The off fore as well as the off hind act as 
braces against the centrifugal force and their positions on the off side 
insure a well taken turn. In order to effect a bracing by the off side 
the off fore is placed slightly behind near fore and the off hind is 
placed slightly in advance of near hind. 



FIG. 9 I 

pacer around turn 




Special trials around a curve or turn gave evidence of facts well 
worth considering. There is always more danger of interference be- 
tween hind and fore at the turns. The trotter will suffer from such 
interference on either side and the pacer between opposite sides. It 
becomes therefore of great importance to ascertain the difference of 



Experiments and their Verification 



127 



extensions on the straight-away course and adapt or modify these 
according to the requirements, necessary for the turn, so that the 
horse is able, without distress or fear, to propel itself equally well on 
the straight course as well as on the turns. 

Figs. 90 and 91 give each the two possible extensions for the 
trotter and the pacer, showing the right and the left habit around the 
turns. In Fig. 92 we have an attitude such as proved to be of great 
benefit to a trotter that could not take the turns well before such an 
extension of off hind took effect, as given. It might be well to say 



Ji 




Actual 
extensions 
around turn 
,See shoeing 
Fio.95, 



Dist. between f and nh - 4- J I ft, 
Dist . between ' n f and oh = 3.89 ft. 
Difference bet. pairs of - — • 

Correlated feet, .lift, or 2.64 in. 
Average disf.= 4 ft. 



that the habit of starting with left or right fore need not necessarily 
exist, but there may be unequal extensions due to faulty shoeing or 
adjustment. At any rate, the averages of a straight course will give us 
the clew to any trouble there may be at the turns. In this particular 
case, which will serve for all cases, the attitude of the feet, or rather 
their average tendency of extension, is given to show the requisites for 
a good position at turns. While it still remains true that the distances 
of the correlated feet should be equal for both left and right extensions, 
there must necessarily be a slight variation from that rule at the turns. 
Here an extra effort is made to counteract direct forward propulsion 



128 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

and to send the body to the left without loss of speed. We find the 
near fore averaging i inch ahead of off fore and the off hind 3^4 
inches in advance of near hind. 

I regret not having any data of pacers going around the turns, 
but the reader will readily see why pacers should take the turns more 
easily than trotters. To begin with, pacers shift their center of gravity 
more readily from side to side. It is in the nature of their gait. In 
the diagonal motion of the trotter the center of gravity does not shift 
so readily to the left at the turns and in the attempt to do so the equality 
of distance between the correlated feet is apt to be disurbed. With the 
lateral locomotion not only is the swing from side to side favorable to 
taking the turns well, but there is always a more natural support with 
both legs on the outside which are thrust forward at the same time ; 
and there is also a greater possibility to maintain the equality of the 
distances between the correlated or lateral feet. But for a possible 
cross-firing there seems to be less chance for a break. 

Judging from the mare Alone 2:og-%, whose gait has been dis- 
cussed in another chapter, and which took the turns well, it would seem 
that the pacer as well as the trotter is better able to take a turn by 
endeavoring to get a good support on the outside. The pacer is better 
braced against tipping over to outside by having his two feet there 
always at the same distance from each other, while the trotter has his 
outside feet move in opposite directions. There is with the trotting 
action a continual opening and closing of legs on the outside of turn. 
Therefore, his support is not as steady and may further be weakened 
by a possible interference, such as scalping or speedy-cutting. While 
in front his leaning to inside will induce him to carry left fore slightly 
in advance of right fore, the right hind leg will endeavor, as shown in 
Fig. 92, to act as a brace and to gain a better foothold and support by 
preceding the left hind leg. In this effort the right hind leg is carried 
more to the outside than it would on the straight course, as we shall 
directly see by comparing the averages of 10 strides taken at curve and 
at straight course immediately following turn. 

In Fig. 93 this comparison brings out the position of these lines 
of motion with reference to the median line. The median line around 



Experiments and their Verification 



129 



the curve is toward left side, showing the left hind on its proper side, 
"while both fore and the right hind are much farther away from it. It 
illustrates the force of motion that tends to throw the body toward the 
outside. 

In the straight course (second diagram), the lines of motion are 
readjusted to the normal and the feet move in their ordinary lines or 
nearly so. Fig. 94 illustrates again the almost equal extension of 
straight course (the right fore being now slightly in advance of left 
fore) and the somewhat lessened extension of right hind over left hind 
(3 inches). Other experiments have shown that wherever the off hind 



nh 

A 



FIG. 9 3 



nf 

A 



A 



oh 
A 



Dist. bet. frogs of fore = -^ m 
Dist. bet. frogs of hind = 5 9 /io tn 



Distances reduced one half 
Dotted line is median line . 



nh 
A. 



nf 
A 



of 

A 



o/> 

A 



Dist. be/, frogs of fore = G/10 tn 
Dist. bet. frogs of hind^ 5*/, in 



acts in that free forward extension the turns are taken more easily 
than where it is held back and follows the near hind ; but there should 
be at the same time a slight but not excessive extension of near fore 
over that of off fore. If such extension of near fore is excessive and 
the off fore points back too far in consequence, there is again the 
danger not only of interference with off hind, but also of lack of support 
by off fore at the turns. The principal requisites for taking a turn well 
arc, therefore, first, a slight increase in forward extension of near fore 
over off fore, and secondly, a more marked increase of off hind exten- 
sion to effect the swinging of the body to the left and to prevent a loss 
of equilibrium. 



130 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

In the straight course, after taking the turn, the trotter in ques- 
tion showed an increase in the difference between the two pair of 
moving legs. That is, the distance between off fore and its mate, the 
near hind, was 3.36 inches greater than the distance between the near 
fore and its mate, the off hind. In other words, while the first pair 
separated in extension the latter approached. Comparing Figs. 92 and 
94, where such tendencies are shown, this will become more evident. 

Such are the conditions which favor taking a turn with greater 
ease, but in this case the difference of extensions was rather too marked 
to call the gait quite satisfactory. There should be a closer approach 

fig.94 



Actual 
extensions 
on straight- 
course . 
See shoeinq 
FlO.95 



Dht between of and nh=<t.2t ft. 
D/st between nfand oh -3.93 ft. 

Difference bet. pairs ■ 

of correlated feet .28 ft = 3.36 in . 

Average c/ist. = +.07 ft. 

to equality in the distances of the correlated feet. If the subject has 
this favorable extension at the turns only, there is not much danger of 
a disordered gait, for the difference will, of course, be less on the 
stretch. 

While Lou Dillon's gait was exceedingly interesting to observe 
on account of her marvelous speed and remarkable action, it can not 
quite serve as a standard for the large majority of slower trotters. 



Experiments and their Verification 



I3i 



The principal deviation of her gait from the general standard is the 
crossing over of her front legs. It was an ingenious device to avoid 
interference, but it is hard to tell whether this was due to her intuition 
or to a fortunate structural adjustment in her speed mechanism. We 
may, now and then, find such a mode of locomotion with other trotters, 
but are more likely to observe that the hind feet follow the fore feet, 
or nearly so. The trotting or pacing motions usually proceed on straight 
lines, and in subsequent trials, here shown or alluded to, the line trot 
and its approximation should always be considered as the usual loco- 
motion of the trotter. 



Pjo.95 




foes, = 3 in 
■>e full i in toe flush 




we6 thicker v*eb same 0/ 'heels 

at heels 

toes = J in 
S2°+ l°(hee/s) S2° 
■ htels of equal lenath . 
Stride- = 15.34- (on stretch ) ' 
5tnde = 15 27 (on turn ) 



F/o.36 




^ 



toes = 3 in . 
~?oe bars tilted to right 

flush at toes 




web same- - 
at heels 



web thicker 
at heels 

52° + 1° (heels) S2° 
tonqer heels on oh 

toes = 3r /ft 
Stride = IS II (on stretchy 



The subject to be discussed in this matter of taking the turns of 
the track was a standard bred mare by McKinney with good trotting 
action and fair speed. Being owned by me she was in my complete 
control, and I was, therefore, not subjected to another man's limit of 
time or of patience. This mare, like many other good trotters, re- 
sponded well to all changes of adjustments, and it was always more of 
a pleasure than a task to work out the results of her trials. 

Shod, as given in Fig. 95, this mare was able to take the turns 
much better than before. This shoeing was one in a series where slight 
changes were made in order to ascertain the results of these changes. 
To understand the effect of the change indicating an improvement 111 



132 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

the right direction — even though this does not mean a proper remedy — ■ 
I give Fig. 96 as illustrating the shoeing three weeks before. There 
the stride was 16. 11 feet, while for the trial, three weeks later, it w^a 
15.84 feet (Fig. 95), a difference of 0.27 feet, or 2> l A inches. 

Before we jump at any conclusions why she took the turns better 
when shod as in Fig. 95 than as in Fig. 96, the latter shoeing should 
be looked into. With the greater stride (16. 11 feet) at the previous 
shoeing than at that of Fig. 95 (15.84), by a difference of $% inches, 
there is in the latter trial, on the straight course after the turn, a 
greater separation between fore and hind feet, and a consequent 
smaller overstep of hind over fore. According to observations made, 
we would naturally expect in the slower gait a smaller likelihood of 
interference between hind and fore, because the extension of both fore 
and hind is not as great ; but here the difference between the strides is 
only 3% inches and yet the average overstep in the previous trial with 
the 16. 1 1 feet stride is greater by 0.6 feet or J.2 inches than the over- 
step of the second trial with the 15.84 feet stride. That is, the over- 
step of the trial with the 16. 11 feet average stride is 4.45 feet and 
that of the 15.84 feet average stride is 3.85 feet. These differences 
occur on the same straightaway course after the turn, which later will 
be considered separately. In proportion the average distance between 
hind and fore is 3.61 feet in the previous trial and 4.07 feet in the sub- 
sequent trial, a difference of 0.46 feet, or 5.52 inches. This separation 
indicates clearly that such differences do not depend upon the mere 
increase of stride of 3% inches. 

It will be noticed that the hind toes, or the hind feet, are % inch 
longer than the fore feet, the latter being 3 inches and the former 
3*/£ inches ; and this is an important feature in the separation of the 
extremities. It indicates that hind had greater extension because of 
such greater length, as subsequent experiments have proved time and 
again. Hence, their greater approach towards the fore. 

Take the shoeing of Fig. 96 and we have the extension of right 
fore 0.1 15 feet or 1.38 inches greater than that of left fore. That is, 
the right fore travels ahead of the left fore by that much. Behind it 
was found that the left hind traveled ahead of the right hind by 0.205 



Experiments and tJieir Verification 133 

feet, or 2.46 inches, as given in Fig. 97. There is, therefore, a closer 
approach between right fore and left hind by nearly 1 inch (246 — 1.38) 
than there is between the other two moving legs. Both front feet are 
shod exactly alike ; hence the difference must arise from the uneven 
extension of hind feet. In this case the leg that lagged before was the 
left hind and the foot was given the heavier shoe and the shorter and 
higher heels. The result is what was expected ; but such greater ac- 
tivity of the left hind is transmitted in some degree to its mate, the 

Extensions ofshoeinq 

' of Fig 96 . 3 




Dist.nf-oh = 3.65 ff. 

D/st.of-nh = 3.57 ft 

' Diff. bet. pairs .06 ft. 

or .96 in . 

Average dist. = 3.61ft. 

off fore, and hence this leg has the greater extension over its opposite 
mate, the near fore. In many other cases such influence of one foot 
upon its moving mate has caused annoying results. 

As has been before indicated we can balance the feet with reference 
to front or hind extension, but we must also take into account the inter- 
relation of the fore and hind as they move in closely related or corre- 
lated pairs. Hence a change in one hind foot will call for a change in 
the correlated fore foot, always with a view to having the distances 
between the fore and hind, that move together, as nearly the same as 
possible. 



134 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



Attention should be called to the longer, even if flatter, heels of 
the right hind, which were supposed to check the forward extension. 
This shoeing compared with previous ones resulted in reversing the 
extension behind from the greater right to the greater left extension. 
Weight of shoes and the length and height of heels are the main re- 
sponsible features. Weight behind by itself increases extension behind 
and length of heels by itself is apt to do the same. Briefly stated we 
have here in Figs. 96-97, an increased extension of near hind — which 
lagged before — due both to a heavier shoe and to a higher heel facil- 
itating break-over at toe. The longer heels on off hind against such an 
adjustment favor this extension of near hind. Under the other con- 



FlG.98 





W-<-S2° 



hum] 



Swelled beds 



S2°- /O 
/S. 50 ft 



Straight web 
Aec/s '/+ in longer 
than n h 



St note* 15.38 ft. 

Fig, 99. 



ditions of Figs. 95-94, the shorter heels and setting of shoe at toe again 
brought out the previous excessive extension of off hind, but modified 
it by the adjustment on the near hind. Incidentally it may be said 
that shape of shoe is an essential feature in regulating action. For in- 
stance, Fig. 98 gives an experimental shoeing to study the effect of 
action on extension behind. Here we have the Memphis shoe on the 
left foot and a plain shoe on right foot. The left shoe is 2 oz. lighter 
than the right shoe. Conditions of toe length .and angle are alike. The 
result was that right hind preceded left hind by Yi foot in extension. 
The 2 oz. extra weight on the right fore did not seem to effect a greater 
extension, but in the variation of the strides from the average stride of 



Experiments and their Verification 



135 



15.50 feet, it is evident that the right hind has the greater activity. In 
fact, the record shows that left hind sank into ground and the toe- 
mark indicated the disadvantage of such impression as against that of 
the right hind, which was set down squarely and showed no effort at 
toe. The 2 oz. extra weight may cause — as it generally does — that ac- 
tivity, but the retarding effect of left hind checks the right fore and as 
a result we have the average extension for 20 strides equally divided 
in front, or for each fore 7.75 feet, as given in Fig. 100. And so the 
increase of elevation of left hind by means of this Memphis shoe has 



Extensions of 
Shoe/ny of fig. 38. 



Extensions of 
Shoeing of Fig. 99 



F 1 0.100 




F 10. 101 



S.8Sin. 



Dish, of-nh = 3.S6ft. 
Dish nf-oh = '3.07 ft 
Biff. bet. pairs = . + 9 ft. 

or 5.88 in. 
Average dish. = J. 32 //. 




2. io m, 



Dish nf-oh = 3.67 ft. 

Dist . of - nh = 3,.62_ft . 

Dlff . bet pairs = .05 ft. 

or. 6 in . 

As/era ge olist. = 3.65 ff. 



decreased its extension, while the right hind was aided in extension 
not only by less elevation of action, but a heavier shoe as well. 

Taking the same conditions of fore, and changing hind shoes, as 
given in Fig. 99, we bring about a sudden change behind, as given in 
Fig. 101, namely, we find the left hind more extended over right hind 
by 0.175 feet, or 2.10 inches, and we also find that right fore is now 
more extended than left fore by 1.68 inch. Here, again, the heavier 
shoe on left hind and the longer heel on off hind have shown their 
effect in extension, the weight increasing same on left hind and the 
longer heels on right hind decreasing it apparently ; but in this case 



136 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

the breakover at toe of near hind seems to be easier because of it's 
swelled and shorter heels, and its extension may therefore have been 
easier also ; and hence its position ahead of the off hind. 

It should not be assumed that the mere increase of 2 oz. on right 
fore brings about this greater extension ; but it should be borne in mind 
that this right fore paddled a good deal ; that is, it swung outwardly 
when leaving ground and was apt to toe in when landing. The in- 
crease of weight simply gave it a better direction and steadiness. Of 
course, paring the foot by lowering. inside toe had a good deal to do 
with such direction; but if it had not been for the influence of left 
hind leg with its greater extension that increase of weight on right 
fore would not have shown up so markedly in greater extension. 

In this matter of direction it may be here inserted that the bars 
of the Memphis shoe, by proper tilting, can be made to accomplish 



nh 

\ 


Fig. 102 

nf of 

_L_L 


t 


\„- 


\ \ 


/ 



directions of -fig. 36 . 
extension reduced one half. 

good results in directing the angle of lateral extension, that is, the angle 
which the foot describes with reference to the median line when a line 
is drawn or imagined to pass through the middle of frog and point of 
toe. In other words, the toeing in or toeing out can be modified by 
such bars. It will be noticed that bars in Fig. 96 are tilted to the right. 
It was found that this condition aggravated the peculiar directions of 
the fore feet. While in this case the left naturally toed out and the 
right fore naturally toed in, these bars made matters worse, as will be 
seen in Fig. 102, giving the averages of directions and distances with 
reference to the median line. Flere the left fore toes out abnormally 
(11.4 ) and the right fore has its own way about toeing in ( — 1°), It 
will be noticed that the minus sign here indicates the opposite direction 
to that which the right fore should point naturally, namely to the 
cutside. 



Experiments and their Verifieation 137 

Fig. 103 will show the directions of shoeing illustrated by Fig. 95, 
where bars on front shoes were tilted to the left. The error of di- 
rection is immediately corrected by such a change, and the right fore 
now toes out 2.6 . Even the previous shoeing as given in Fig. 99 
shows by the directions of Fig. 104 a better line of action in fore feet 
and here the bars are supposed to be square across the shoe. In sub- 

Fig. 103 

nh nf of oh 

\ LJ 1 

^ L L t. 

of i rect ions of fig . 35 
extension reduced one half. 

sequent trials with simply a bar across the toe and none at heel the 
proper correction of the faulty directions of fore was always accom- 
plished by a> slight tilt of bar to the left, thus making the left fore 
break over at outside toe and the right fore at inside toe ; that is, the 
bar with lower end on outside made the left fore toe in or gave it that 
tendency, and with lower end on inside, made the right fore toe out or 
gave it that tendency. 

Fig /Of 

nf > "I f f, 

t ' t - t J 

W V.r f 3J6 o ? S70 

ct/'rechons of fig, 99 . 
extension reduced one ho/ f '. 

Again, it must be remembered that all such directions are aided by 
the principle of pointing, so ably and fully explained by David Roberge, 
and that the proper paring of foot with such corrections in view is part 
of proper balancing. 

These various shoeings and results are somewhat suddenly thrust 
upon the reader without an apparently proper foundation for the 
principles involved. Later experiments, however, will verify the asser- 
tions here expressed. These data at present are but a part of a series 



138 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

of such investigations and will at least show the difficulties encountered 
in so intricate a problem as balancing. As the subject unfolds itself 
before our view it will become manifest that there are certain definite 
rules which cover certain points in all cases, except such where an ab- 
normal structural fault is beyond remedy for speed or proper action. 
Were it not true that from these investigations of gaits there were 
found certain principles whose applications produced certain results 
in all cases, it would be useless for me to write this book. My object is 
to generalize, if possible, so that not one particular horse under one 
particular man and under particular conditions .can be improved in gait, 
but rather that all horses under reasonable conditions and treatment 
can be made to respond to an application of certain principles so 
generalized. 

The example of this particular mare is only one in many where 
similar difficulties were encountered and overcome by such principles. 
I do not believe that balancing one horse does necessarily carry with it 
a great secret of knowledge or of training which does not in some way 
apply to another horse. While the pride of a trainer may be readily 
understood, his successful treatment of a case should have certain 
elements of remedies applicable to all similar cases. Time and obser- 
vation are the great factors in such remedies. The lapping of one shoe- 
ing over another in the effects brought out is another factor to be 
counted on. We influence locomotion by the shape of foot and shoe. 
It responds, and yet when another change is made remnants of the 
previous shoeing are in evidence. It seems but rational that such 
changes take place gradually and slowly, owing to the fact that by a 
change we impress the brain and the tissues of the muscles and induce 
a gradual transformation. Quick remedies are simply impossibilities. 
If a trainer or shoer strikes it just right by sheer luck or guess it is not 
entirely due to that quick change, but to the combination of the last 
change with the still remaining effects of previous shoeings. W T ith 
gradual changes and such as are based on a rational diagnosis of the 
case, the remedy is likely to be not only more sure but also more per- 
manent. 



Experiments and their Verification 139 

This mare, therefore, whose shoeing we have just considered, 
trotted the trial around the turn under such an influence of a previous 
shoeing. While the subject had always a habit of carrying off hind 
forward excessively, the shoeing of Fig. 99, with its resulting ex- 
tension of Fig. 101, shows the effect of the change from Fig. 98, 
which latter was entirely faulty and caused the bad way of going 
behind, as given in Fig. 100. 

With somewhat reversed extensions of hind feet in trials follow- 
ing Fig. 99 and Fig. 96 as given in Figs. 97 and 101, it was found that 
the turns were not so well taken. Hopping, tip-toeing and breaks were 
more frequent when going at a 2.30 clip, or better. The shoeing of 
Fig. 96 immediately preceded that of Fig. 95. The shoes of the former 
were worn from July 5th to July 19th, and the shoes of the latter from 
July 19th to August 9th. 

By the shortening of the heels of the off hind the supposed check 
to extension is in a degree removed and we find the turn taken better 
in part on that account. But again, the shortening of both hind by % 
inch showed a greater separation of fore and hind extremities by over 
5 inches, which in itself means a greater backward extension. 

Of course, the change in direction of fore by the different tilting 
of bars has also something to do with the more even and better gait. 
But the fact remains that off hind again assumed the greater extension* 
of hind feet, and this with the fact that near fore, in consequence, pre- 
ceded slightly the off fore gave us the requirement of the preferable 
extensions at the turn. In other words, the animal indicated that this 
was the easiest way to take the turns and did it with an even movement 
of legs. 

Elsewhere we saw that the various strides of each leg differ in 
distances, although all the strides of the four legs must have a standard 
or average length for that particular way of going. The differences 
from the averages are the variations and as they fall short or exceed 
the average they are either minus or plus with reference to that general 
average. The total difference between the extreme points of such 
variations may therefore be considered as indicative of the regularity 



140 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

of the. gait. The smaller these variations the more regular the animal 
is going. It may be illustrated as follows : 

FIG. /OS 

Variations from average stride 
B - A + C 
\ ™» I I 

A = locah on of average striate. 
B A = sum total of van at /oris be tow average. 
A C =Su/n total of variations above average 
hence BC- total va nations of stride =• 3. 01 

For Fig. 96 we find the calculation of such total variations as 
follows : 

On Straight Course. 
nf of nh oh 

(—1.34 + 1.67) (—2.71 + 1.89) (—1.48 + 1.91) (—2.48 + 2.81) 
Total 3.01 4.60 3.39 5.29 

(average stride = 16. 11 ft.) 
Under shoeing of Fig. 95 we have the calculations for variations 
as follows : 

At Turn. 
nf of nh oh 

(—1.79 + 1.74) (—1.69 + 1.74) (—1.97 + 2 -07) (—2.04 + 1.99); 
Total 3.53 3.43 4.04 4.03 

(average stride = 15.27 ft.) 
and for the stretch following the turn : 

nf of nh oh 

(—1.32 + 1.27) (—1.19 + 1.29) (—1.38 + 1.33) (—1.42 + 1.22) 
Total 2.59 2.48 2.71 2.64 

(average stride = 15.84) 
The figures given are in feet and decimals thereof. 

Comparing the total variations here given we can readily see that 
the trial on stretch following the turn shows a more even gait and such 
was the case. In both of the last two instances there is a greater va- 
riation in hind than in fore, and as a whole the variations are naturally 
greater at the turn than on the stretch following it. The last figures, 



Experiments and their Verification 141 

the result of the same conditions of ground surface, that is, a smooth 
straight piece of ground slightly downhill, therefore, indicate a marked 
improvement in action and extension. We see, again, that such total 
variations have another meaning, namely, that of greater or lesser ac- 
tivity of each leg. For instance, it was found that the greater variations 
in fore legs belong to the leg that precedes its mate, and the greater va- 
riations of hind legs belong to the leg that lags or follows its mate 
(see Figs. 97 and 94). We shall recur to this peculiar indication of ac- 
tivity later on. Incidentally it may be remarked right here that as a 
rule greater weight in shoe has a tendency to fold the fore leg more 
and hence shorten its extension and that with hind feet the opposite is 
true, namely, the increase of weight will increase extension and pre- 
vent high action of the foot so shod. This applies more particu- 
larly to one fore or one hind with reference to their respective op- 
posite mates. Of course, it is also to be understood that the shape of 
shoes and other conditions are alike. This different influence of weight 
on fore and hind has its cause in the folding of the knee and hock 
joints and in the general attachment of legs to the body. The fore 
are more or less rigidly fixed while the hind, though lacking in folding, 
are more loosely hung from body. A study of the trajectories or 
curves of motion in the earlier part of this book will indicate the effect 
of weight on fore and hind; and further proof of this matter will be 
offered later on. 

The effect of such a heavier left hind shoe on the animal in ques- 
tion was, therefore, very beneficial to the gait, even though it did not 
quite eliminate her habit of reaching forward with right hind. In 
fact, because she did so was evidence that the turn required such a 
way of locomotion. It should not be forgotten, however, that the 
minute such uneven extension becomes excessive the benefit is lost and 
danger from interference arises. 

III. — Toe-Weights. 

Before investigating this and other cases any further it will be 
necessary to say a few words about Toc-W eights. 



142 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

The difficulty that many horses have to get around the turn going 
in the ordinary way — with the infield to the left — is sometimes removed 
when the turn is taken in the reverse way. It only strengthens my 
contention for the exact information regarding unequal extensions by 
means of measurements. It also led me to experiment with toe-weights 
on both fore and on one fore only. Toe-weights have a very steadying 
effect on the action, but also often produce too much folding of fore 
and a resultant deficient action of hind. Their use has been overvalued ; 
but as a means to ascertain deficient extension they have their place. 
The accidental loss of a shoe has often determined such deficiency and 

FiG. 106 

Zoz.W 2oi W 

toes 

3/t? 




7 J) \\9 

also 3oz weight 




js 



full 



flush 




toes 
II ]) 3/rt, 




52°(+l°heek) S3 



Swelled heels straight web 

brought about a great improvement of gait. Likewise the use of one 
toe weight only has solved the question of squaring the animal's gait. 
But in all these cases unequal weights are indicators of balance and 
point to a remedy in foot and shoe rather than to the permanent use of 
toe-weights. A harmonious action between fore and hind, or an 
action where the difference is not excessive, should be the aim of 
proper training. As to a greater extension of fore being due to toe- 
weights there is evidence to that effect in a trial with the same subject 
heretofore considered. The shoeing given in Fig. 106 shows a 2 oz. 
weight on each fore. It is similar to that of Fig. 99, except that the 



Experiments and their Verification 



H3 



fore have a bar only across toe (also tilted to left) and the quarters 
near the heels swelled in the web of the shoe so as to form the same 
contact with ground as with the double bars. The hind shoes are set a 
little differently, the near being full, and the off flush at the toe. A 
week before that the subject was tried with the same shoes, but without 
toe-weights. The extensions and separations of fore and hind are given 
in Fig. 107. Always allowing for the increase of separation due to the 
increase of stride and speed of the second trial, there is here a greater 



Extensions 
without- weights 



Extensions 
with weights 



Extensions of fig.. t06 




ZJ6in 



min. 



■Y 2 oz 



F/&. 107 




1.56m. 



F 1 0.1 08. 



t.Bin. 



Dishnf-oh~ 3Mft 
Dist. of-nh = 3.78 ft 
D/tt. bet pairs = .16 Ff 

or 1. 92 in. 
Average dish = 3.86 ft. 
Stride » 16.12 ft 



96/'/?' 



Ti 



Distnf-oh~ +.23 ft. 
Dist: of-nh = 4-.22 ft . 
D/'ff bet. pairs => ' .01 ft 

or . iZ in \ 

Average dist. = +.26 ft. 
Stride «- 1 '8-53 ft 



Dist.nf-oh = 3.95 ft. 
Dist of-nh = 3.67 ft. 
Diff. bet. pairs = .2d fit. 

or 3.36 in. 
Average dist. - 3.80 ft. 
Stride. = 17.3Z ft. 



separation of fore and hind by 0.4 feet or 4.8 inches (4.26 — 3.86) a 
part of which, at least, seems to be due to the toe-weights. 

Taking this same case and replacing a 3 oz. toe-weight on off or 
right fore for the 2 oz., there appears a different extension, as given in 
Fig. 108; namely, the left fore increases its extension to about 1.56 
inches and the left hind leg now shows an increased extension over 
that of the right hind leg by 1.8 inches. This sudden reversal of ex- 
tension behind, from right to left hind, is due to the effect produced 
by the heavier toe-weight on right fore. 



144 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

These complications may appear to the reader as rather perplexing 
and confusing, but the reasoning has been borne out by the results in 
other similar experiments. The toe-weights on right fore by its greater 
weight — an ounce at the toe equals several ounces in the shoe — has 
caused the leg thereby to fold more. That is to say, the action of 
right fore is increased, and such increase of action communicates 
itself to its related mate, the left hind leg. This leg responds by a 
greater extension; but the result is altogether bad, because both greater 
extensions are on the near or left side, making it appear as if the 
animal had pacing inclinations, which was not true in this case. At 
any rate, such extensions on one side invite single footing and ir- 
regularities of gait. 

The difference in separation between fore and hind (average= 
3.80 ft.) is somewhat less than in Fig. 107 (average=4.26 ft.), where 
both fore had 2 oz. toe-weights. This is in part due to the lesser 
speed as indicated by the shorter stride (17.32 ft.), as compared with 
the 18.53 ft-> the stride of Fig. 107. But since all deductions from such 
experiments for the sake of comparison should be based on the same 
conditions, it may be well to mention that the trial of Fig. 108 was 
trotted on the outside of that of Fig. 107 and on harder and smoother 
ground, the surface of Fig. 107 being somewhat looser. As a rule, 
all my experiments were made under similar conditions of ground, 
which was generally cross-raked by hand to a fair looseness such as 
exists on a well prepared track. 

The subject which we have been considering was a mare with 
much knee action and a hind extension that interfered with the fore, 
causing forging and scalping. Besides that she paddled with the 
right fore. She has a record of 2.2434, but has trotted much faster. 

Several more trials were made with toe-weights on either fore to 
ascertain their effect and the shoeing of three weeks later, as given 
in Fig. 109, was the basis to work on. The principal feature of this 
shoeing is the lighter and equal weight of hind shoes and the longer 
inside heel of shoe on left hind to counteract a longer outside heel in 
hoof as given; 

The reader may ask here, as well as in previous cases, Why this 



Experiments and their Verification 



145 



difference in angles and weights in all these shoeings? It should, 
however, be remembered that these shoeings were taken out of a long 
series, the purpose of which was the establishment, if possible, of 
certain general principles ; but to satisfy the queries that may arise 
in the mind of the reader who is anxious for practical results I will 
indicate a few reasons. These do not, and cannot at this stage, con- 
stitute such generalizations as arise from many cases tried under 
similar conditions. Gradually certain facts were sifted out from the 

Extensions of fig. I 09 

WW*'"'"' 

F 1 0.1 09 




pared. 



-Q 



32SSP 



he eh slightly 
swelled 



straight web 




Fio.no 



rrrT 



12 in 



Dist.nf-oh^ 4.40 ft 
Bist.of-nh = +.32 ft. 
Diff. del pain .08 ft 

or .96 in . 
Averaae dist = +.36 ft. 

SfriJ& - /8. 24- ft 



various changes and these will become apparent later on. For the pres- 
ent the reasons for such shoeings will be given as they appear to be 
warranted by the object in view, namely, the correction of faulty gaits. 
Only by numerous changes can such experiments yield the desired 
information for practical purposes. 

In Fig. 1 1 1 there appears again a heavier shoe for the right fore. 
It was done in order to counteract that paddling foot, to give it a 
better direction. The lower angle has in view a better extension. 
Behind there appears a heavier shoe on the left foot so that the ex- 



146 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



tension may be increased. Weight always increases action, more so 
in front than behind ; but whether that increase of action will be in 
elevation only or also in extension depends to some extent on the 
shape of the shoe. It is similar with the different lengths of toe or 
foot. Other things being equal, the longer leg in front ( j/g or ]/± inch) 
acts as a stilt for its opposite mate, lifting the latter and giving it easier 
extension. It is in the nature of the more rigidly fixed front legs. But 
again, other conditions being equal, the longer foot behind (^ or % 
inch), will be greater in extension than its opposite mate. It is reason- 



FlG.III 




toe. 




flush 



wm 



3/^ in. foe 
53°(S2°J 



3 fain, toe 
53° 



(\ 



pared 



Straight' web on both 
oh heels /+ in. longer 



Extensions of fig Jl I 

/.26/n 




Fig. II 2 



JBint 



Dish nf-oh = * 18 ft. 
Dist. of-nh = *. 09 ft. 
Diff. b el. pairs => .09 ft . 

or /.08 in 
Average dish = +./3/S. 

S/r/We= /S.SSft. 



able to suppose so even at this stage of our observations because of the 
different and looser articulation of hind legs. 

Later on this will become more apparent. At any rate, the shoeing 
of Fig. in was based on the erroneous presumption that simply longer 
heels in one hind shoe will cause it to point back, or, in other words, 
will check its extension. The main point here raised was whether the 
right hind foot with its greater length over that of left hind foot would 
tend toward a greater extension and therefore toward an easier taking 
of the turns, the supposition being that the greater sweep of the right 



Experiments and their Verification 147 

hind necessary at the turns could thus be accomplished, as well as by a 
slight lean to the left side, which would naturally be effected more 
easily by this slight increase in length of outside leg or foot. All in 
all, however, this adjustment of the hind shoes effected an equalization 
of hind extension ; for, the near with its heavier shoe and shorter toe 
may be considered to offset the off with its lighter shoe and longer 
toe plus its longer heels, so that the effect of the last two conditions — 
longer toe and longer heel — was somewhat modified by the counter- 
action of the near hind. Subsequent investigations will make this more 
clear. 

It will also be noticed that the toes of fore are longer in Fig. in 
than they were at previous trial of Fig. 109. This was due to the fact 
that hind shoes only were new, the front shoes remaining on, showing 
as usual the continual growth of foot, a fact against which David Ro- 
berge warns by saying, "the growing foot is a growing evil." But 
sometimes a little increase in length of toe enables the animal to move 
better and faster. The trial proved satisfactory and a subsequent mile 
in 2 '.27 in a vigorous, smooth fashion was a pretty fair result. 

At this trial the stride averaged 15.88 feet and the variations 
for each leg from this average were comparatively smaller or of lesser 
extent than at the trial of shoeing given under Fig. 109, where the 
average stride was 18.24 feet. The greater the speed and the longer 
the stride in consequence, the less are the variations of the strides of 
each individual leg; but the faults of gait, though less perceptible, are 
still there under cover of great exertion. The intermediate speed is, 
therefore, more preferable, not only for detecting faults, but also for 
correcting same. Allowance must, however, be made for the greater 
effectiveness of any remedy applied and tested at great speed. We 
must try to administer homeopathic or small doses only for extreme 
speed. 

In order to further see the effect of different lengths of feet, the 
shoeing of 18 days after that of Fig. in is shown in Fig. 113, with 
position of feet expressing their extensions in Fig. 114. There is a 
decrease in extension of left fore due to forced extension of right fore 
by means of a shorter foot with reference to left fore. Partly in- 



148 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



fluenced by right fore and by the two ounces more in weight of shoe 
the left hind advances slightly in extension, making a greater ex- 
tension by a fraction of an inch ; and compared with previous trial it 
advances over the right hind by 0.18 + 0.12 inch or 0.3 inch. All such 
small differences are negligible and are only given as actual differences 
of averages of 20 strides. No matter how small, they are nevertheless 
exact indications of conditions. 



Fig J 13 



F/6. //4 

Extensions of fig .113 





II 



3 3 /8/'n . -foes- 3'Uin. 
+9° 4-d° 



■flush toes 



outside 
A eel swelled 




3 'A in .-foes - 3 3 /8in. 
J3° S3° 

heels y* in. longer 




36 in 



Straight web 



12 m 



Dist.nf-oh = 3.32 ft. 
List: of- nh - 3.-88 ff. 
Biff, bet pairs = • 0? ft . 

or J-8m. 
Average di'sf. - 3.90 ft. 
Stride = 15.59 ft. 



To show the effect of the swelled outside heel of the left hind shoe 
the comparative lateral extensions and angles of feet with reference 
to the median line are given in Fig. 115. 

The left hind by means of this outside swelled heel is forced to a 
greater angle, thus showing the effect of the shape of the shoe, besides 
indicating a greater spread of hind feet by about 54 i ncn on the average 
of 16 strides. It will also be noticed that the fore travel on practically 
the same line in both trials. In the first trial they cross over, and this 
is due to the fact that the animal carried her head a little to left side, 
thus giving the right and paddling fore a chance to land on the 
inside of its natural line of motion. 



Experiments and their Verification 149 

Though side poles and rods are unsightly affairs in a race much 
may be effected by their judicious use in training out such a habit. 
No horse can be balanced unless going straight. Such a straight di- 
rection may be brought about by shoeing in time, but a quicker course 
is to use a side rod in conjunction with such investigations as these. 

This carrying of head to near side always had the effect of a slight 
increase of near hind extension. It generally happened when driven 
close in to the fence and an allowance has to be made for that in the 
result. Hence the shoeings here given do not show as yet conclusively 

Ft 6. 1 15 

fredu ced one half) 

t 
1 

nh of \nf oh 

\ tt! f 

w s.rt y <*•? 

Directions of fig. Iff 



fo 



or& x cross 



nh' nf 

t 1 



\s.«' . s Jk 



of oh 
1 J 



As- *? 



Directions of f/cf. II 3 . 
Dotted lines a re med/an i/nes 

the principles involved. For instance, the longer foot on right hind 
may at times show a greater extension because of such a length and 
also because of such a tendency of that leg and thus offset the ex- 
tension of left hind due to this carrying of head to left. All these ex- 
periments, therefore, should be considered in that way and they were, 
in fact, but steps in the direction of equal extensions. 

Elsewhere it has been emphasized that time is an important element 
of balancing, and in all trials for such investigations it has been in- 
variably found that when they follow too closely upon a change of • 
shoeing the result is confusing and not indicative of the true effect oi 



150 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

such a change. An instance of this was demonstrated by the shoeing 
following Fig. 109, namely, that of Fig. in, where, within four days, 
a trial was made and the results were not as satisfactory as they were 
ten days after that. 

Let us now return to the effect of toe-weights. The apparently 
balanced condition of Fig. in, which produced a good and smooth 
mile, was used for such a possible demonstration of the effect on either 
fore foot. 

In my remarks on toe-weights it was maintained that while they 
caused an increased action or folding in front, they were apt to bring 
about a deficient action behind. Many trotters loaded down with toe- 
weights in front show a low action but apparently increased forward 
extension behind. Toe-weights, therefore, never appealed to me as. 
being instrumental in causing a better equilibrium of fore and hind 
action, so pleasing to the eye, but seemed rather to aggravate matters. 
The high elevation and somewhat increased extension of fore does in- 
fluence the activity of hind legs, but there seems to be not, as we should 
expect, a higher elevation of action, but rather an increased forward 
extension. The use of toe-weights, therefore, does not separate fore 
and hind, but seems to be productive of closer approach, so that the 
claim that they will make the fore feet keep clear of the hind by greater 
separation of fore and hind has not been proved, although by the 
greater folding of fore these are apt to be out of reach of the hind 
when the latter reach forward. 

For the good name of the trotter — as being something better and 
worthier than a mere racer — we cannot sacrifice everything to speed 
alone. We must have splendid action, well balanced action, evenly dis- 
tributed action ; in short, action of the vigorous and the useful kind 
combined. Toe-weights applied continually do not promote such action. 

With the shoeing of Fig. in and the subject driven on outside of 
the first trial, which was without toe-weights and near the fence, it 
was noticed that the head was carried straighter. The third trial on 
outside of second was made under same conditions. The extensions of 
1 each trial with toe-weight on alternate fore are given in Fig. 116 and 
Fig. 117. 



Experiments and their Verification 



151 



Here we have a recurrence of the tendency of right hind to ex- 
cessive extension, due no doubt to the application of the toe-weight 
on the left fore, which caused the latter's increased action, and by 
sympathy with the right hind, also the greater extension of both. 
Again, the averages of 20 strides and relative positions of feet tell of 
the average discrepancy as presented in Fig. 116. In all the diagrams 
of extensions the scale has been V 2 inch to the foot, but the differences 



Fig. US 

Extensions ot fig III j 
Z oz roe weight on n f 

_Z)ijr;n. 



4.62 




F/&.//7 

extensions of fig. Ill . 
2 oz. foe weight on of 

t.S2ih' 
+ 2oz.tw, 



2.82' 



Dislof- nh = 4.20ft. 
DiSt nf- oh = 3.96 ft 
Biff, bet pairs = .L4ff. 
or 2.88 in 
Average d/st = 406 ft. 
Striate, = 16.11 ft \ 




Dist.of-nh - 4.10 ft. 
Dtst.nf-oh= ±a ft. 
Diff. -bet. pairs* JO ft. 
r or i.2 /n 
Average J 1st = 4.05 ft. 
Stride - 1 6. 34 ft. 



of extensions are conventionally excessive or in disregard to that scale 
in order to make them more palpable and visible to the eye. 

Xow, turning to Fig. 117, we see a change of extension, or rather 
a diminution of the former extensions caused by the toe-weight on 
the off fore. There is a slight increase in length of stride, amounting 
to about 2^4 inches, and that in itself may account for the slight de- 
crease of the average distance between the pairs of legs, from 4.08 
feet to 4.05 feet. But what is more remarkable is the greater approach 
of equality between the two distances. I have always held it to be of 



152 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

importance that such distances should be as near alike as possible in 
order to have a square trot and an even action. Whatever unequal 
extensions there are, they should be found in both fore and hind feet 
and should be of equal or nearly equal magnitude. Such an approach 
to equality is found in the application of the toe-weight to the right fore. 
The left hind responded to the greater activity of the right fore. Both 
the left fore and the right hind receded in their previous extensions and 
by comparison the two cases exemplify the effect of a toe-weight not 
only on the foot bearing it, but also on its correlated hind mate. The 
excess of extension of left fore drops only from 1.74 inches to 1.62 
inches, or 0.12 inch, but that of the right hind decreases from 4.62 
inches to 2.82 inches, or 1.8 inch, making a total approach of n f — o h 
of 1.68 inch (2.88—1.20). 

Toe-weights, therefore, have their uses, especially as auxiliaries 
to establish evidence of excessive and wrong extensions by applying 
them singly to either fore foot. I would recommend such a test as a 
rough and quick, though an indefinite, short-cut to balance. As men- 
tioned before, a shoe accidentally lost in a try-out has often served 
the same purpose to the thoughtful trainer, and a cast shoe with better 
gait and speed in consequence is a hint with a vengeance to any ob- 
server. It should certainly call forth the simple little question. "Why?" 
upon whose repetition so much enlightenment rests. We are sur- 
rounded by many mysteries, but this little question has a right to 
knock at the door of every one of them, and no human tradition, or 
prejudice or authority, shall forbid it to do so, for upon that right all 
true progress depends. 

Just as a cast shoe may reveal an inequality of length in foot or 
leg, so a toe-weight applied to one fore foot may point out a deficiency 
of extension ; but whatever the supposition, do not let us speak of a 
horse striding shorter with one leg than with the others. A Horse 
would not trot or pace if he did that continuously. 

Let us again consider the effects of toe-weights and examine other 
cases. 

Let us take the case of a mare with a vicious direction of near 
fore, as given in Fig. 118. The near fore foot crosses over the me- 



Experiments and their Verification 153 

dian line and toes in 7 . Her gait was unsteady in front; she tried to 
recover her deficient forward extensions with one or the other fore 
leg. It was only a case of brief consultation, and, therefore, unsat- 

F/G.//8 

SDirechions of feet 
(reduced one ha if J 

?i h) \ n f of 0/1 

t! i t I t 



S.66°' \/\-/6.2S° Jens' 




X 



is factory for any definite improvement. She was shod about as given 
in Fig. 119, and in Fig. 120 are seen her extensions. For the exactness 
of angles of feet or length of toes, I could not warrant, because there 

F/ 0.120 ' 

Exten5/ons of fig. //$. 

■ 9 in 



Fig. US 



50' 





^z 





4.74- t 'o 



Lis/. 7?f-oh = ^3.98 f/ 



toes about 3/2 in, 7)/sr of-7ih = 3.5/ /A 

Diff. be/, pairs = .+7 ft. 

or 3. 54- in 
Average d/'st. = 3.72 
Stride,- 14-88 ft. 

outside reefs J/iate, 
3 to -4- inciies 

was not another chance to try her. She was a very fair type of trotter, 
standing perhaps a little close together with fore and a little far apart 
with hind, and also standing slightly under in front but fairly straight 



154 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

behind when looked at from the side. She was rapid gaited and had 
little knee action. Besides, she was unsteady behind and the outside 
turned heels of hind shoes slid on ground from 3 to 4 inches. Any 
such concussion cannot possibly benefit the gait or balance. I recom- 
mended the use of a 2 oz. toe-weight on near fore only as a test, and 
the removal of turned heels behind. While she had shown a mile in 
2 :22 with much effort, she went a smooth and easy mile in 2:18^2, her 
fastest time then. 

When examining the extensions in Fig. 120 we should remember 
also that off fore was more or less held back by interference with the 
near fore. For, as could be expected, by its being placed towards the 
off fore, the near fore was now and then struck at the knee by the off 
fore ; and this interference held back or checked the extension of the 
off fore. The toe-weight remedied this somewhat. It steadied the 
near fore, gave it a somewhat better direction and possibly better ex- 
tension, and by such increased activity it also influenced its diagonal 
mate, the off hind ; so that, all in all, the effect of that toe-weight was 
the same as in the previous case. I regret that the result so obtained 
by advice could not be brought down on paper as the other cases, but 
the evidence remains that a 2 oz. toe-weight so applied and under such 
conditions improved both gait and speed. Included in the advice given 
was the usual and always effective rule of pointing advocated by the 
late David Roberge, to the effect that the near fore was lowered on in- 
side toe and the "wing" of that hoof reduced at that point. The re- 
sult was that she quit banging her left knee. 

Two more of these fleeting cases came to my attention, where toe- 
weights showed the same general effect. In both cases the attitude of 
the animal was very faulty because the front and the hind legs stood 
under ; that is, there was a pointing back of fore and a pointing for- 
ward of hind feet. Such an attitude always causes trouble and dis- 
appointment from the fact that interference is almost impossible to 
overcome. The animal may have ever so much speed and ambition or 
trotting instinct, but Nature having put up a poor structure for speed 
balks all efforts. We can, however, modify even such an attitude in 
time so that the animal can at least trot well enough to get into the 



Experiments and their Verification 



155 



list of 2:30 performers. Subjects so constituted are very refractory 
to treatment and the problem of separating the extremities is a diffi- 
cult, though not impossible job. Without time there is no remedy for 
these at all, for horses of such an attitude have naturally a slovenly 
way of poking their hind feet straight under without any effort at ele- 
vation. They are inclined to single-foot when there is effected a marked 
change in the shoeing of hind feet. 

In these cases I lack the evidence of consecutive shoeing and there- 
fore cannot offer quite as conclusive a proof of the effect of the toe- 
weights used, and I must ask the reader's kind indulgence in the 
matter. 

F/GJ22 

extensions of fig. 121 



4-oz. toe weights on fore 

4- in. 

toes 





4-9° with shoes 



Fig. 12 1 



f|£f| 



SS°w/tfi shoes 

heclatlh 



thiafe heefof oh lo 



iger 




2.4-m 



Disf.nf-oh = 3.72 // 
J)/ st of-nf? = 3.6 O ff. 
Dirt, be f pains = -tl ft. 

or /.<M- m 
Average ofist = 3.65 ft. 
Stride = - /4-.9jf/. 



In Fig. 121 we have the shoeing of one case, a mare, by Stein- 
way, of which angles were measured with shoes on hoof. Both fore 
carry 2 oz. toe-weights and bars across heels. The web of the shoes 
was wider at toe than at quarters, being heavier at toe in consequence. 
With this double weighting of toe the heel impressions of fore feet 
were hardly visible on ground. The hind feet were very steep in angle, 
besides being checked in extension by long outside heels and calks. 



156 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



The whole method was meant to force the separation of fore and hind 
extremities. This was done at the expense of the length of stride, 
which is here but 14.95 f eet - The gait was rapid but stubby. She used 
to have a longer and more sweeping stride when allowed to get under 
herself with hind feet; but during this shoeing she improved with toe- 
weight on near fore only. She took the turns better, the first quarter 
in 35 seconds and a mile in 2:21, her best mile then. This toe-weight 
increased the activity of off hind, counteracting the longer heel, which 
was meant to give it better direction and to check its extension. The 
toe-weights on both fore distributed their influence on both hind and at 
the turns the off hind did probably not extend enough to effect proper 

Fig. 123 

F/G./24- 

I — uszu Extensions of f/<?./23 

+ 3oz .tw\ 



3 oz . foe weight- on near 
angles ^49° 



rolled at lot 



<MM 




omcf/es*53 



heel calks -ouh/a/e longer 



3.30 in 



Dish, of-nh - 
J)/sr nf-oh = 
J)/// del. pairs = 
or. 6 /n . 

Average dish - 

Stride. -^ 



1.37 /A 
1.92 //. 
.05 /A 

1.95 ft. 

I&.86 /A 



propulsion. When near fore only was weighted a better extension 
of off hind was effected by the greater action of near fore. This led 
me to have her shod, as given in Fig. 123, the shoeing being almost 
identical with Fig. 121. The hind shoes were 1 oz. heavier each and 
the heels were made alike on outside of both shoes. Besides, to over- 
come the rapidity of stride the angles of hind were let down about one 
degree. In the former shoeing the angle was taken with the shoes on, 
but hind calks had somewhat worn, so that between that measurement 
and this one on hoof directly made a difference of about one degree less 
for last shoeing. 



Experiments and their Verification 157 

Tried this way the result is curious. My notes say that "she now 
shows good knee action, but no hock action at all." Evidently the hind 
legs again extended under too much. Fig. 124 made on the same scale 
as Fig. 122 will show by comparison with latter this lack of separation 
between fore and hind extremities. There is, in fact, a decrease in the 
difference of extension between fore (from 3.84 inches to 3.3 inches), 
but behind the difference has increased considerably ( from 2.4 inches to 
3.9 inches). It is the off hind that advances over the near hind. The 
average distance between the extremities is but 1.95 feet against 3.65 
feet at previous trial. It is true that stride has almost increased 2 feet 
(from 14.95 to 16.86 feet), but this in itself should rather cause greater 
separation. There is also the beveled toe of fore to consider as in- 
creasing the knee action and decreasing somewhat the extension of fore. 
The old habit of going under herself behind was, therefore, again 
brought out and this double approach of extremities caused the abnor- 
mally small distance between them (1.95 feet). Amid these many con- 
ditions, however, there appears again the effect of the toe-weight on 
the activity of the hind leg correlated with the fore checked by such a 
weight. The slight changes here undertaken showed a remarkable dif- 
ference in the mode of propulsion. It only goes to prove that we 
never know the actual conditions of a horse's gait until it is plotted 
down in such a manner. Again, the reader is advised not to take this 
as conclusive evidence of other matter than the question of toe-weights, 
which seem to have shown their effect in the above cases. 

The second case, and last one in this series, was that of a trotting 
bred gelding by Direct, which had been used under saddle and was 
a compact, handsome animal. His gait was, like the previous one, more 
or less the result of a continued application of toe-weights, long toes 
and low angles. Such combination of unfortunate circumstances, for 
which man is always responsible, are not matters of a few shoeings 
for correction. One year would be about the time necessary to effect 
any change without loss of speed. 

This gelding was shod as in Fig. 125, with resultant extensions 
lengthwise and lateral as given in Fig. 126 and 127. With the toe- 
weights his manner of going was fairly good except that he went under 



158 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



too much behind. The test with the median line and angles with same 
brought out a direction of feet that was probably acquired when under 
saddle. Fig. 127 presents a peculiar bunching of three lines of di- 
rection with the near hind away by itself. It was an extremely faulty 
position and one calculated to give trouble. In consequence the angles 
of feet as placed upon the ground were greater on the off side than on 



*oz. 



4-0: 




47° 



ouhide heels 3 /+ '" 
longer and turned 



Fie.m 

Extensions 




Disfof-nA - 2.7/ ff. 
Dish nf-oh - 2.+9ff. 
Dili beh pain = , . Z Z ff. 

or 2.64- in. 
Average, d/sf - 2.60 fr. 
Stride = /S.S3/I 



»h 



no. 127 

Lateral extensions and angles 
reduced -i 



A ofi A nf .of 

T 1 t 



V 



7.1 



I 4.A >G.V 



the near side. Suspicion of inclination to single-footing showed up in 
the greater extensions of both right fore and right hind. In the pure 
trot this habit rarely appears and if it does it predicts pacing tendencies, 
either natural or due to shoeing. The low angle behind (47°) fa- 
vored a forward extension, so that the average distance between ex- 
tremities (2.60 feet) was out of proportion to the average stride of 



Experiments and their Verification 159 

15.53 feet; even though the horse stood under at both ends more than 
he should. His gait and action were rather rapid and not high. 

In the variations from the average stride — that is, the difference of 
individual strides over and below the average — the fore showed 23 per 
cent, more unsteadiness than the hind. This proves the forced and 
bad effect of toe-weights in this case, quite the contrary to the effect 
they had on the previous case of the mare, where the variations were 
small and fairly evenly divided among the four legs. The gelding's 
variations were as follows : 

n f of n h oh 

+4.1 1—6.83 +5-9 8 — 6.55 +4>55— 3-78 +4.99—3.09 

total scope 

10.94 12.53 8.33 8.08 

It is evident from this that he labored with fore, as was actually 
the fact. Here was, therefore, an effect of toe-weights that was un- 
desirable and faulty. Under the shoeing of Fig. 125 they did not 
benefit him. The shoeing was the trainer's own idea and the trial was 
made under conditions as found. 

Later on, when the trial with one toe-weight only was made with 
the mare, this gelding should have had the single weight attached to 
his off fore instead of to his near fore. The shoeing was then changed 
somewhat, as can be seen in Fig. 128. There is practically no change 
in this except the angles of .hoofs, particularly of hind ones, where angle 
was increased to 52 . The object of this was, of course, to check the 
extension of the hind legs. The result shows such an effect, namely, 
the separation instead of being an average of 2.60 feet is now 2.85 
feet, or a gain of 0.25 foot or 3 inches. The difference between the 
distances of the two pair of legs is also less (0.11), just one-half of 
that of former trial (0.22). 

There is here also the effect of the toe-weight in the greater ex- 
tension of near fore by one inch over that of previous trial, Fig. 126 
(0.66 + 0.36 = 1.02 inches) ; but the desired effect of this toe- 
weight upon the off hind is not visible. In fact, the relative positions 
of hind feet is the opposite to what it was in Fig. 126. Looking at the 
lateral extensions of Fig. 130 we find them all less than in Fig. 127, 



i6o 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



and the reader will notice the abnormal large angle (n°) of off hind,, 
which is the effect of the shoe employed. The intended effect of such 
a shoe, namely, that of carrying the leg out, was not attained. We 
still have the annoying position of same inwardly of off fore, with 
the fault of excessive pointing out with toe which is caused by shoe. 
This means that the foot was more or less checked in extension and 
dragged along, with a resultant closing up of entire separation be- 



Joz 




11 



4-m 
toe 



SO' 




11 




Fig. 123 

4 in 



toe. 



S2< 




outsio/e heels /zjn. 
lonqer -oh outside 
foe heavier and wider. 



F/G.123 

Extensions 




\36m. 



Dish nf-oh = 230//-. 
D/sf. of-n/j = 2.7$ ft. 
2>/ff bet pain - ./ 1 //. 

o/- 1.32 in. 
Averaged/ st. = 2.85 ft. 

Stride •= /J.7J//. 



Lateral extensions and 1 angles 
\ reduced -^ 
n h . oh nf of 



\e 27° 



Hi 



FIG. 130. "%£ £" 



tween the feet crosswise. Besides this we have a peculiar toeing 
in of the foot carrying the toeweight, which is in part due to the 
direction of off hind foot. Such an inward direction of the near 
fore, or rather such a direction to the opposite side of its normal 
direction, makes the total result doubly faulty. These directions may 
be entirely due to faulty paring of feet, which is so an essential 
matter in pointing, and often has been proved so in other experiments 
more directly under my control. At any rate, we have seen the effect 



Experiments and their Verification 1 6 1 

of the weight on near fore, though through other conditions its ef- 
fect on hind action was not visible. Loping under the saddle had 
probably affected this gelding's open trotting action and inherited 
pacing tendencies may explain the extensions of two feet on one side 
(Fig. 126) instead of on the opposite side, as in the true trotting 
action. Even with this faulty gait he could show miles in about 2 125, 
the near fore extension favoring an easier taking of turns. 

It should be added that in this experiment the variations of 
strides from the average were far more regular and even than in 
the previous trial, the fore being but slightly more irregular than the 
hind, although the off side (right fore and right hind) gave about 
20 per cent, more irregularity than the near side, showing again that 
the interrelation of legs had an element of the pacing or single-foot- 
ing habit, either inherited or acquired by the saddle. 

A few more experiments would have shown whether his gait 
could be improved at all and whether he was really worth training 
or could only be a good saddle horse or roadster. Here it is where 
the deception comes in and horses are kept in training that are not 
worth the money spent because of structural or acquired faults 
almost beyond remedy. They are speedy, honest and level-headed, 
but simply cannot strike an even, regular clip to accomplish what is 
asked of them. One thorough insight into their mode of locomotion 
will not only tell us of the impediments, but save us a whole lot of 
trouble and the energy lost in continuing the training by hoping 
against hope and trusting to luck. 

Let us take, for instance, the usual refuge to toe-weights when the 
fore feet do not seem to "get away" or extend. There was a horse 
by McKinney which I was supposed to immediately benefit and cor- 
rect in two shoeings. Fig. 131 will give the reader a good conception 
of the usual overloading of fore feet. 

This animal presents one of the many cases where action is 
naturally rapid, but where it is straight up and down rather than 
extended. As illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21, action may be increased 
in elevation by means of weight — in this instance by toe-weights and 
heavy shoes — but it is not always a guarantee for increased extension. 



1 62 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

With a horse that has naturally somewhat of a forward reach with 



FIG. 131 

** 3^2. in >^ 

itr~^\ toe, /f/^\\ 
f/s)) l(/6)] 



f7< 



Section : 



<?7 



0-f$ 



52 



55 



Section 



W//h shoes : 

S6* S3* 




/• SS in. 



84 tn 



JDisf. nf-o/t = 3.58ft. 
Disf.of-nfy = 1.38 ft. 
D/ff. = -2o//. 

or 2.4- ,'n . 
Average. - 3.43 ft. 

Stride. -= /4. 2 ft. 



Ft 0.132 

loz. 

3/zm 
I toe. {(,o 








\j> (ft 

48' 



Section . 




3hi> 
Toe- 




S3 



S3 1 



Section 



Web of oh thicker 

Extensions .- 




1. 14- m 



S4in*—7~^ 

£>isf.nf-oh = 3.35 ff 

Dist. of- nh = 3.30ft. 

D/Vf = -£tfV/ 

A vera ye — 3.32 ft. 

Stride, = Ib-.O/ff 



nh 


2 /« />? 


Xaferaf 

r. rtduc 
nf 


extensions 


oh 


/A/^. c 


f 

i 


t 


t 




t 






v.. 




|2.2^° 


F/O. /33 


«./ 


f-.9°f 





Experiments and their Verification 16 



o 



fore feet the application of weight would act as shown in the curves 
of Fig. 19, but where by a quick muscular contraction the front 
legs have a jerky action, weight seems to aggravate such action. It 
would, therefore, take a great deal of weight to effect a slight increase 
in extension. And again, having increased such front action, we are 
apt to see the animal go very low behind ; so much so, in fact, that the 
heels of hind shoes will slide a couple of inches. Such a contact 
with the ground cannot in any way give the horse any improvement 
of gait. There must be no sliding of shoe or any unusual or unequal 
concussion with the ground visible in the foot prints. 

The off hind in this case was carried inside of off fore slightly, 
as will be seen in the next trial of Fig. 132. Here we have again an 
effect of the toe-weight applied to the near fore foot only, which 
effect for extension was somewhat counteracted by the increased 
weight of shoe (12 oz.) For, with such an action as this horse 
possessed the effect of weight in shoe will be in elevation more than 
in extension. Hence the light toe-weight on near fore foot did not 
extend that foot as much as anticipated, but it did influence the off 
hind in a measure. 

The off hind has a shoe with a little thicker web (1/16 inch) 
on account of the lack of extension of that leg at the previous trial. 
The additional ounce does not in itself make the change in its ex- 
tension, but this slight change and the influence of the action of toe- 
weight on the near fore have the desired effect of regulating the 
distances of the correlated feet, making these practically the same. 
(3-35 — 3-3°) • There was less sliding of hind heels, even though 
the stride was the same and the distance between fore and hind 
feet was less. (3.49 — 3.32 = 0.17 ft. = 2.05 inches.) Here we 
have the true trotting extension, that is, the diagonal feet instead 
of the lateral ones extend together, and in consequence we have a 
diminished tendency to single-foot which existed previously. Incidental- 
ly attention should be called to the inaccuracy of shoeing by the eye 
only, for the difference of angles of hind feet (Fig. 131) is an 
error that a hoof gauge would readily detect. Such differences 



164 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

will make a horse badly gaited and often produce faults hard to 
eradicate. 

As to the lateral extensions (Fig. 133) it may be noted that the 
off hind did not have a good direction. In fact, it was found later 
that it had the tendency to overreach and, as is so often the case, 
the direction changed from outside to inside of off fore. Such cases 
as this one cannot be mended by a few shoeings. Owners too often 
expect the shoer to do wonders when, piled up in the mechanism of 
the horse, there lie the various cross-purposes of all sorts of previous 
changes, which one definite plan continued for a long period alone 
can eradicate. 

In considering the effects of toe-weights we have, therefore, seen 
that in a general way they give direction to the fore feet and increase 
their action and, to some degree, their forward extension ; but 
their influence is also felt by the hind feet and these are drawn for- 
ward rather than upward so that their extension is also affected. That 
is to say, unless shoes are used which by their shape increase the ele- 
vation of hind action, the hind forward extension is visibly increased 
by the use of toe-weights on the fore feet. We may therefore have 
the spectacle, so often observed, of a horse cleaving the air with splendid 
but excessive front action followed by "daisy-cutting" hin4 action, but 
hind action that gets under rather to excess. If we were to judge 
efficiency solely by speed, then the trotter with long toes, low heels, 
three ounce toe-weights on each fore, heavy elbow boots, a sky-scrap- 
ing nose on a head stiffly propped up by an unyielding checking device 
and with light plates on hind feet, and a mere shuffle for action behind, 
but withal able to trot in 2 107, or better, would be a horse of almost 
ideal perfection. "There you are, gentlemen, can you beat that? 
Otherwise don't criticise !" the trainer will probably say ; and with 
mere speed as a test, or as a standard to judge by, the gentlemen ad- 
dressed will bow their heads in silence or raise their eyes in wonder- 
ment, as their individual feelings may direct. 

With good will toward all, but especially with a view toward 
raising the real efficiency of the trotter and the pacer by making of 
them animals with a free and easy motion and with a well proportioned 



Experiments and their Verification 165 

action between fore and hind so pleasing to the eye, the writer urges 
the use of toe-weights only as a temporary remedy and as a means of 
educating the animal to a steadier way of going, but to be replaced, 
if possible, by a different method of shoeing. Toe-weights with a re- 
sultant better gait serve as indicators of faults of extension and as 
such they are a ready help to a proper balance ; but as permanent at- 
tachments to the foot they can only be condoned when everything else 
fails to effect that balance. To the spectator, or the general public, 
who expect to see finished graduates from the training school appear 
in the contests for supremacy in speed, such paraphernalia as toe- 
weights, cumbersome boots and bandages, hopples, Raymond or simi- 
lar head supports, all appear highly artificial, forced, unnecessary and 
detracting from the real efficiency of the horse. The only appearance 
of the horse at such contests of speed that will insure general ap- 
proval should suggest efficiency by simplicity and beauty. No one 
knows better than the trainer how difficult it is to effect such a com- 
bination as efficiency, simplicity and beauty. Wherever and whenever 
he has done so, a prompt recognition of his great ability has been 
accorded him for the solution of so difficult a problem. That has 
been and should always be the eminent endeavor of the American 
trainer and on it rests not only the popularity and reputation, but also 
the continuous improvement and evolution, of our American standard- 
bred horse. 

IV. — Knee and Hock Action Regulated by Weight and 
Shape of Shoes. 

Following the remarks on toe-weights, and before the effect of 
equal and unequal weight is entered into, it might be well to recall 
the instantaneous pictures of Muybridge. That quartet of trotters, 
Occident, Elaine, Edgington and Clay, will furnish some interesting 
and instructive data concerning the comparative elevation of both 
front and hind feet, as well as of knee and hock joints. 

In judging such elevations it should be remembered that the hock 
joint is normally located a little higher than the knee joint and that 



1 66 Gait of the American Trotter arid Pacer 

the flexion of the hock joint cannot be as easily and as completely 
accomplished as that of the knee joint. The very fact that it is the 
reverse of the forward flexion, with its angle toward the direction 
of motion, tends to show that the effort of flexing cannot be so long 
and so fully sustained as in the knee. The respective compensations 
in the legs and their attachments are worth noting. The comparative 
rigidity of shoulder is compensated or corrected by the ready flexibility 
of fore leg, and on the other hand the comparative stiffness of hind 
leg is compensated or corrected by the greater looseness or mobility 
of the hip bone or femur. These differences in flexion have as a 
consequence corresponding differences in elevation of the hind and 
fore feet. Action proper, however, is determined by the elevation 
of the knee and hock joints because these are not only prominent 
points in locomotion, but they are also more easily and readily located 
by the eye. 

To exemplify such a comparative elevation we need only appeal 
to the facts or deductions from the famous pictures of Muybridge. 
In Fig. 134 such comparative elevations are illustrated for each of 
the four horses previously considered. The curves here are only 
conventional arcs of a circle and are meant merely to indicate the scope 
of action and not its precise movements, the latter having been in- 
vestigated and shown before. It so happens that the points of ele- 
vation of these joints and feet were .measurable by forty-eighth parts 
of an inch and such was the standard taken to get the proportions. 
But in order to make everything more visible Fig. 134 was made on 
double that scale, or twenty-fourth parts of an inch, and as in the 
former standard so also in this : five parts made up one foot as given 
on the photographs. The accuracy of the illustration depends on 
that of the pictures as reproduced ; but they are, upon closer examina- 
tion and after making allowance for blurs, very good attitudes from 
which to deduce these results. The horse Occident having the 
highest knee action, which rose to 15, gives us the extreme from 
which we derive the various proportions. We should bear in mind 
that the hock joint stands higher than knee joint, and in these pictures 
the latter is about 80 per cent, of the height of hock joint, this 



Experiments and their Verification 167 

proportion holding good in all of the four subjects, even in Occident, 



-I 



mm 



mm 





FT 


1 


' ; 





"5 




Q. 


<a 


* 






X 01 




K \ M 




yj \ \, 


h 


Hi 

JO o\> / 

5: "A / 
~ *»\/ 


Th 


|\ 


\ ** 


* 


\ V" 


S I 








•0 


+ +H+ * 


1 


1 ^ 


1 


1 ^ 


1 


11 " 


fc i\ 


1*1 " 


<o .a 


^«J ^ 


° ^ 






*\ 


^ nun 


nun 




uojyz>r>px>j£ y?t// ttojo&+z 



where both joints drop one point correspondingly. Fig. 134 treats 
of the elevations of these joints as they are, with this natural differ- 



i68 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

ence in height. We have, therefore, the proportions between elevations 
of hock and knee action, as follows : 

Subject Hock Joint (proportions) Knee Joint 

(.86) 14 

(•73) 15 

(.82) 14 

(•85) 13 



I. 


Elaine 


12 


2. 


Occident 


II 


3- 


Edgington 


"•5 


4- 


Clay 


11 



Average 11.4 (.81) 14 

To get the hock action itself and compare- it with the knee action 
we must reduce the former to the same base line or reduce the ele- 
vations of hock joint 20 per cent. Hence we have: 

Subject Hock Action (proportion) Knee Action 

1. Elaine 9.6 (-685) 14 

2. Occident 8.8 (.585) 15 

3. Edgington 9.2 (.655) 14 

4. Clay. 8.8 (.675) 13 



Average 9.1 (.65) 14 

Therefore, while the apparent proportion of hock and knee action 
is about 81 per cent, the actual proportion of the magnitude of hock 
action to that of knee action results in but 6$ per cent. Fig. 135 — 1) 
will illustrate this to the eye. Recalling the curves of action as dis- 
cussed in a previous chapter under Figs. 19 to 26 we can readily 
understand these comparative elevations by studying the action of 
the subjects in motion. In watching the hock action one is apt to 
locate it in the point of the hock rather than in the joint proper, for 
while it indicates as much, it does not give the real elevation. 

Elaine shows on the whole the most evenly divided action between 
both extremities. Occident is an example of excessive knee action 
and its influence on the lowering of hind action ; while Clay with 
an indifferent knee action has a well developed hock action, causing 
trouble, as we have seen in Fig. 25, by probable interference. Abe 
Edgington is nearest the average found and presents here a good 
average trotter. Particular note should be made of the backward 



Experiments and their Verification 



169 



extension in Elaine and Clay. This is a characteristic of good hock 
action, or should be so, and again shows how propulsion is effected 
by an equal backward and forward swing of the leg rather than by 
too much low and forward extension. 




3) Average tot<*f action 



65 per cent 



60 per cent 




6S per cent 



Genera] average of the four subjects given 
Showing comparative magnitude of action re 
cfuceci to a common has is, anal an average, 
for total fore ana* totat hind action 



Let us now compare the elevations of the feet. We find the 



following figures: 








Subject. 


Hind 


{proportion) 


Fore 


1. Elaine 


7 


(■70) 


10 


2. Occident 


5 


(45) 


11 


3. Edgington 


6 


(.60) 


10 


4. Clay 


6 


(.66) 


9 



Average 6 (-60) 10 

The elevations are all specially given in Fig. 134 for each sub- 
ject discussed and again in Fig. 135 — 2) as a general average of the 
proportion between the elevations of hind and fore feet. From that 



I/O Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

we find that 60 per cent, constitutes the average elevation of the hind 
feet as compared with that of the fore. And finally, when the total 
action of both the joints and the feet is taken together as one whole, 
we find that the hind action is but 63 per cent, of fore action, as 
illustrated in Fig. 135 under 3. 

Again, we have in Elaine the hightest proportion (.70), with Clay 
coming next. The latter is deficient in front action and the proportion 
is therefore high (.66). The greatest disproportion again appears in 
Occident, whose excessive knee action discloses again too low a hind 
action to bring his locomotion into proper proportion. While in 
Elaine and Clay the proportion between hock and knee action (.685 
and .675) is nearly the same as that of hind and fore feet action (.70 
and .66) there is a marked difference in Occident and Edgington, 
their proportion of hock and knee action (.585 and .655) being much 
higher than their proportion of hind and fore feet action (.45 and 
.60). This proves that the hock flexion of the first two is far greater 
than that of the last two, as can be readily seen in Figs. 23 and 25. 
That is to say, in both the former cases («Figs. 22 and 24) the back- 
ward extension was greater, which resulted in greater flexion of hock. 

The point raised in connection with these investigations is that 
excessive front action, whether natural or effected artificially, has 
in its wake a lowered hind action; and again, that such lowered hind 
action is likely to result in greater forward extension of hind feet, 
because the greater curve of action of fore foot will produce a cor- 
respondingly longer curve of action of hind foot (Figs. 19-21) ; and 
if the backward extension is lacking and the hock flexion in conse- 
quence is absent the forward extension of the hind foot will be all the 
greater in order to equal the greater front action. That is to say, 
the action of the hind foot must consume the same period of time as 
the fore foot in going from one contact of ground to the next and must, 
moreover, strike the ground simultaneously with it. It is easy to see 
that the higher the curve of action the greater the time consumed, 
and hence, the curve of the hind foot being lower is apt to extend fur- 
ther forward to equal the action of fore foot in scope and time. 

This quartette of horses, now again used as examples of gait or 



Experiments and their Verification 171 

action, constitute an excellent variety of equine locomotion, and the 
average from them should stand for a reliable standard to judge others 
by. The conviction that Muybridge gave us more than mere pictures 
has, I think, been sufficiently confirmed by the deductions made here. 
He gave us, in fact, something of inestimable value to the student of 
the horse, and the more we study these reproductions — very well done 
considering the times and the appliances — the more must we feel their 
importance and great worth. 

The excessive knee action of Occident and the defective knee 
action of Clay, with the latter's probable interference as seen in Fig. 
25, has ever given rise to the idea that the main purpose in curing hind 
interference is to get the fore feet out of the way of the hind. Some- 
how, it is thought that the hind must have the privilege of reaching 
forward to get a hold of the ground which is to be shoved back quickly, 
so to speak, to attain speed. Of backward hind extension as a cure 
for interference, little is said ; but on this very question of proper ad- 
justment of hind action depends the balancing of most trotters. A 
trotter must have good knee action to be speedy, but he should have 
good hock action to balance himself well and in a more natural way 
than is customary. Where heavy front shoes are used to develop 
action, very light shoes are generally applied to hind feet, the heel 
calk being the only design to check consequent forward extension of 
hind. The weight of the shoe is so intimately connected with its shape 
that the effect ought to be considered as a whole, though the effect of 
any difference in weight will appear in any case submitted. Too 
much stress is laid on weight anyway, whereas the shape of the shoe, 
and of the iost, is of far greater importance. That is why the great 
skill of our American shoers has accomplished such wonders. No 
more ponderous shoes of freakish shapes, but plain shoes with nice 
devices on them to direct action and motion, and shoes well and in- 
telligently put on a well pared foot — these constitute the great achieve- 
ments, simple in result, but difficult of attainment, which are the causes 
of the present improvement of both gait and speed of our trotter and 
pacer. 

Let us now take the cases for illustration that have been shown to 



172 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

contain the proof of the influence of the weight and of the shape of 
shoes. While it may even before this have appeared as if it was often 
necessary to use unequal weights on opposite feet, it should be borne in 
mind that such differences are rarely of a permanent nature. Struc- 
tural faults — unequal hoofs or unequally developed muscles — may re- 
quire such a permanent adjustment, and any faults of gait may be cor- 
rected by such a course ; but it should also be remembered that the 
normal condition of equality on both fore and a similar equality on 
both hind should be the best way to balance the horse, if his anatomy 
is equally well developed at each extremity. 

It should also be remembered that the greater the speed the 
smaller the changes necessary for a better balance ; but the claim 
that a "rough" gait at slow speed will become "smooth" when the 
speed is increased is too often based on a deception of observation. 
By the greater exertion of increased speed, the faults become less 
visible or audible, but they will remain just the same. Training out 
deficiencies of gait by driving or working can never be a logical or in- 
telligent method of perfecting the g-ait. It is merely a blind-man's-buff 
illusion of trying to get what we want without knowing where we are 
at. A temporary remedy is the only proper thing to apply after the 
fault has been definitely located, and this is always within the mental 
reach— or should be so — of a competent trainer. 

Mere weight of the shoe, regardless of the shape of the shoe or 
of the angle of the foot, has the general effect of increasing the ac- 
tivity in both fore and hind feet. But as far as its effect on extension 
is concerned, there seems to be this distinction, namely: 

In fore legs, mere weight is apt to decrease extension and increase 
elevation. 

In hind legs, mere weight is apt to increase extension and decrease 
elevation. 

For the difference in elevation and extension so brought about, 
compare the Figs. 20 and 21. At both extremities weight gives to the 
feet a better direction and in consequence it steadies the motion of the 
horse. 

To illustrate the point in question, Fig. 136 may add clearness to 



Experiments and their Verification 



/o 



the equine locomotion. I have always had in view the proposition of 
applying the kinetoscope to the horse in motion by having the camera 
move alongside of the animal with equal speed. The result would be 
a stationary picture as far as the horse is concerned, with all the mo- 
tions given in detail on the same spot, while the ground would appar- 
ently move away from the horse at the rate of his speed. The eye 
could then more readily follow each movement of the legs and body 
without being compelled to follow a series of pictures such as those 
of Muybridge of thirty years ago. Such an exhibit would be highly 
instructive and strictly up to date. 

,Fig. 136 is intended to show the probable curves of motion of the 
legs, as seen in such a possible exhibit. It is not claimed to be an exact 
representation of such motion, except in so far as it shows the relative 

no . /3d 




positions of fore and' hind legs and their angles at that position. They 
present a pair of correlated legs moving together in either trot or pace. 
D A is a stationary line, D being the vertex of axis of hind leg. 
and A that of fore leg. The angles at hock (E) and at knee (B) are 
supposed to be just opening with the forward reach of the legs. At 
this moment the legs unfold and extend forward. The hock joint 
having D for a vertex and the knee joint having A for a vertex, will 
approximately describe the curves o and p ; and the hind feet F and 
the fore foot C, having hock and knee joints for vertices respectively, 
ivould describe curves of motion indicated by n and m, were it not for 
the above mentioned curves o and p, which in turn modify or change 
the curves n and m. The resultants we will assume to be the curves r 
(hind) and s (fore). The dotted lines are the legs when extended 



1/4 Gait, of the American Trotter and Pacer 

and about to touch the ground M N. This is about what would hap- 
pen when the motions could be brought before the reader by the 
kinetoscope. 

It will be evident why weight of shoe is likely to increase the 
rapidity of the motion curves n (hind) and m (fore) — these being the 
upward curves of hind and front action — and also why the difference 
between the rapidity of motion curves F r (hind foot) and C s (fore 
foot) is due not only to the difference in angles of E and B, but also to 
their different elevations. While the curve C s is and must be de- 
scribed more quickly than the curve F r in order to have both feet 
reach the ground at the same moment, the chances for extension for 
the fore foot C are not as natural as are those of hind foot F ; that is 
to say, the direction of the curve F r of the hind foot is more inclined 
toward extension than the direction of C s of fore foot. In other 
words, the unfolding of fore leg is not, under ordinary conditions, as 
favorable to forward extension as is the straightening out of hind leg 
with its more open angle and better natural direction for extension 
as compared with the fore. 

These conclusions were drawn from numerous cases, some of 
which will now be given. Great care has been employed in general- 
izing from the actual results obtained, and although the interrelation 
of the four moving feet makes the study of balancing very intricate, 
the repetition of effects from similar causes and with different horses 
should warrant the conclusions so drawn. 

Through the kind co-operation of Mr. K. O'Grady and his sons 
of San Mateo, Cal., I have been able to accomplish a great deal in 
these investigations, and one of the interesting cases there was a bay 
gelding by Sable Wilkes. He was a powerful individual, with only 
medium action in front, and could trot a mile easily in 2:25, and be- 
sides was a great roadster, with the ability of pulling a buggy without 
visible exertion. He had, however, one fault that made him go un- 
even, and to remedy this he was taken in hand. His off hind foot was 
short in forward extension, and was often placed inside of the off 
fore foot, a common manner of shifting with horses so afflicted. Such 
a way of going was certainly fatal to speed around the turns, besides 



Experiments and tJieir Verification 175 

causing an awkward and uneven gait. Weight on the off hind was 
the plan adopted. When he came into my hands for shoeing he was 
shod as given in Fig. 137. Front feet were very steep (55°), and the 
hind feet were not equal in angle, besides being a good deal longer in 
toe than the front feet, thus causing a pointing back of fore and a 
pointing forward of hind. The average distance between fore and 
hind was only 2.94 feet, while the overstep of hind over fore was 4.85 

3>2 in 
toe 

55' 




10 





Disf.nf-oh- 3.07ft 

Dist.of-nh-2M.fi- 

Diff. -2.6ft 

or 2.12 in. 
Average- o/ist.= 2.9tft. 
Overstep = f-.8Sft. 
Stride, = I5.6tft. 



feet for a stride of only 15.64 feet. There was also a visible influ- 
ence of the retarded off hind on its correlated mate, the near fore. 

To show how the off hind was deficient in extension, it should 
be mentioned that at times its extension was only 6 feet, while that of 
near hind was 9 feet, making together a stride of 15 feet. Or, again, 
it would be 6.90 feet and the near* 9.05 feet, making a stride of 15.95 
feet. Or, again, 6.90 feet, as against 8.70 feet of near, and so on. It 



176 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

only once exceeded its proper proportion, or one-half of stride, and 
measured 7.85 feet. 

The whole trial was irregular and unsatisfactory. The lateral 
extension and angles taken proved by Fig. 138 that the off hind was 
the disturbing element in the gait. Besides that, he hit his knees. 
Having little elevation, but great rapidity of motion, this animal gave 
the impression of being speedy. The main purpose, after stopping 
the knee hitting, was to try weight on off hind. At first the shoe was 
only 2 oz. heavier, which was gradually increased to 5 oz. In connec- 
tion with this weight a lower angle and a longer toe was tried as a 
remedy. The changes were all made gradually so as to prevent any 
sudden jars by inequalities. No change in shoeing should be sudden 
or radical. At the end of four months he was shod as given in Fig. 
139. It should be mentioned here that both the near fore and the near 

Lateral extensions - reduced one half 
nh nf ok . of 

t t f J \ 

\r cA /&•! ■ #9 7.7- ? 

hind were somewhat dished in their frontal surface, and to counteract 
that a steeper angle of foot was maintained. Dished hoofs do not 
measure well on the hoof -gauge, and as a rule have a tendency to 
point forward, because this faulty frontal surface, normally straight, 
deceives the man who takes the angle of the foot; and the result is 
that such a foot is left at a lower angle and with a longer toe than its 
opposite mate. This alone causes an irregularity of gait, and there- 
fore this fault of a dished frontal surface should always be taken into 
careful consideration. Hence, the near fore here appears with i° more 
in angle of foot. Besides, this will facilitate the leverage of the dished 
toe. Both front shoes are beveled from toe around outer half to 
counteract breaking over on inside toe and to point in instead of out, 
which latter is usually responsible for the vicious inward curve of 
motion that causes knee hitting. The roll in shoe from toe to heel 
induces a little more action and elevation of fore, and the increased 



Experiments and their Verification 



177 



weight has the same purpose. Behind we have the same length of toe 
and the heavy shoe on off hind, with a lesser angle to effect extension. 
The result shows some improvement. The separation of feet is 0.41 ft. 
or 4.92 in. more than in Fig. 137 (3.35— 2.94), and the off hind is 
brought up closer, though not yet in proper position. This increased 
separation of fore and hind brought the gait more into harmony with 



toes 



roll 






SJ%W 



Swelled he eh 
heels ocll alike- . 
Extensions : 



,+Sin. 



'<T> FlO. 139 



Dist nf-oh - 3 At Ft 
D/st of-nh - 3.27 ft 
3)i ff. ill ft. 

or 2.0+ in 
Average dish - 3.35 ft. 
Overstep = +.72 ft 
Stride = I6j+ft, 



2.52 in 



the length of the horse ; that is, there was a better articulation or 
swinging of legs at both ends. 

The following year a similar plan of shoeing prevailed, and the 
gradual improvement is perhaps worth giving here, even in view of 
the fact that the one heavy hind shoe was not the only, though the 
principal, factor in effecting the desired even gait and balance. After 
two preliminary shoeings the one of Fig. 140 showed results as given 
below that illustration. 




1 7 8 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



It will be noticed that the near fore is i° more in angle than the 
off fore. It was assumed that such a greater angle facilitated the 
leverage of the dished toe. A dished toe naturally forms a lower angle 
with the heel than a toe with a straight frontal line. Fig. 141 will il- 

3% in 

toz. 



slight roll 




12 
52 





12 

J7« 



dished 





12 



3 3 /a in 
foe. 

56 ° 



3 Van. 
toe 
SS° 



•swelled heels 




F/G. MO 



f/o. w 




— ■ <e 
Z. cad ^ L df 
£ Co. e = L cl d 
L. Cod. /s true angle of foot 



Dish. of-7?h - 3.05 ft: 
Dist. 71 f- oh - 3.00 ft . 
Diff . .OS ft . 

or. 6 in . 
Average = 3.03 ft. 

Sfnde = J 6. 77 ft. 

lustrate this difference. Here the angle c-a-d is less than the angle 
c-b-d, because the point of toe at "a" is farther removed from' the 
point of heel "d" than the point "b." The true angle of the foot is 
really c-b-d, with the dished toe rasped off to some extent, because the 



Experiments and their Verification 1 79 

point "a" of the dished toe and the point "c" of the coronet are not in 
a straight line common to all or nearly all the points in a normal frontal 
line. Hence we must strike an average frontal surface line by rasp- 
ing off a part of the dished toe from "a" to "b," or nearly so, in order 
to make the angles of both front feet alike ; or, again, we may leave 
the dished toe intact and increase the angle of that foot slightly to 
make it conform in effect to that of the other front foot. A great deal 
depends on finding the difference of extensions between the two feet ; 
for, a dished toe is apt to cause greater forward extension, and, again, 
it may cause the leg to lag or point back on account of a difficult lever- 
age at the toe. It is, therefore, important to find the effect by estab- 
lishing the habitual extensions in front and then regulate the angles 
accordingly. 

It will also be seen that off hind (Fig. 140) is }i in. longer in toe, 
in order to cause greater extension according to the rules of David 
Roberge. Moreover, the lower heel or lesser angle of the same foot 
is a move in the same direction. The hind shoe being heavier, is natur- 
ally a little thicker in web, even though it was ordered wider rather 
than thicker in web. The supposition was that this leg lacked both 
length and momentum. In fact, in most trials the outside heel of off 
hind was too visible on ground. The impact and sliding of that heel 
hinted at some inability to suspend the foot from the ankle joint, or 
rather to keep it stretched forward in suspension until it would natur- 
ally strike the ground. 

Subsequent shoeings on the same plan finally stopped the inclina- 
tion to hop behind, which was due to this unequal extension of hind 
feet. There developed a gradual reversal of extension so that in the 
end, with the shoeing as given in Fig. 142, and with proper paring of 
feet to diminish the outward angles of feet and to counteract inter- 
ference, the animal was driven three miles in 2 .-30, 2 '.27 and 2 \2J, the 
last one of which showed the result in extension given in that figure. 
The shoeing previous to this was about the same, the principal change 
being an increase of toe length of % inch all round and slightly swelled 
heels — but less so than on near — on the off hind instead of an even 
web. The angles of fore feet were also changed, so that near fore was 



180 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

a little lower in heel than off fore. This lower heel, however, seemed 
to increase its extension somewhat and effect x the better extension of 
the off hind also in a measure. 

The feet with the longer toes (n f and oh) increased extension 
also in a measure. The final result can therefore be said to have been 

6; 



W">- foes 3 J*i"- 




,11 



jjmtL 





s.ov 




Fig. 142. 

3.36 in. 



Distof-nh- 3 .17 ft. 
Dist.nf-oh ~X63ft. 

Diff > • / */ / - 

or 1.68 in. 
A veraqe — 3.10 H- 
Stride - 18.11 ft. 



satisfactory. The horse took the turns well and trotted squarely. In 
this trial he was in a race with a horse of greater speed, and being 
fully extended, and with a long stride (i8.ii ft.) for a rapid going 
trotter, it could be said that he was well balanced. Some modifica- 
tions might have become necessary later on if he had stayed in train- 



Experiments and their Verification 181 

ing, as the effect of such an adjustment became more pronounced; but 
enough, at any rate, had been shown to warrant the plan of shoeing 
gradually evolved from the various trials. 

Let us briefly consider the evolution of the gait due to various 
adjustments intended to regulate it. Without a plan based on previous 
facts, we could not logically bring about an improvement. We must, 
therefore, resort to a method by which we can establish comparisons 
in order to see clearly the effect of all changes made. Even if such a 
method as this is not followed out in every detail, the main principles 

.36 in. c=——rr\ (V\ ^^ ':l Z 




.36 in 



D/'sF.oF-nh- 2.93 Ft. 




D,st nf- oh - AM Ft. % 8< -A II 
DiFF. = JO Ft. ± L 

or 1.20m. D/sA nF-oh = 3.60 ft. 

Average = 2.88 p/ s t. of -nh = 3.58 Ft. 

Stride, - n Ft. DiFF. ,02 Ft. 

or .24- in . 
Average - 3.59 ft. 
Stride = J 6. 31- ft. 

could be acquired by every trainer, so that he may be spared a good 
many disappointments and useless efforts when the whole matter of 
balance is left to guess work and its rough estimates. 

In ,Fig. 143 we have a comparative representation- of such an evo- 
lution of the extensions. The extensions given were the results of 
two trials made between those of Fig. 140 and Fig. 142. The shoes 
worn in Fig. 143-A and in Fig. 142 were alike, and those of Fig. 
143-B were also the same with the exception of off hind, which had 
no swelled heels. The comparisons of these trials will illustrate what 
can be done merely by the paring of the hoof. Given, therefore, a 
set of shoes, it is in our power to vary the movements of a gait by a 



1 82 Gait of the American Trotter a?id Pacer 

different adjustment of the shoes. Aside from the difference of the 
off hind shoe noted above, there is only the paring of the hoofs as a 
cause for the various results. 

In Fig. 143-A and B the angles in front were the same as in Fig. 
142, that is, 50 and 51 ° respectively for the near and off fore foot, 
and behind they were both 55 in A and 55 and 54 in B, as in Fig. 142. 
This horse always did better with a lower angle on the off hind, on ac- 
count of its lack of extension, and when that foot had a shoe without 
swelled heels, as in Fig. 143-B, it responded still better. Again, in Fig. 
143-A both front feet were alike in length (3^ in.), but in B the near 
fore was 3% in. and the off fore 3^ in. The lengths of the toes behind 
were in A: 3^ in. and 3% in. respectively for the near and off hind; 
and in B : 2,H m - an ^ sVs in. for the same feet. The toes in Fig. 142 
were all around y% in. longer than in Fig. 143-B. This increased lev- 
erage at the toe no doubt had something to do with the -greater varia- 
tions from the average stride as noted below. The fact remains that 
the horse trotted remarkably square and true under the conditions of 
Fig. 143-B. The subsequent adjustment of Fig. 142 was rather an 
exaggeration of the previous conditions and therefore caused too 
marked a difference of the extensions. 

The greater stride in the latter case (18. 11 ft.) will naturally 
bring about a greater separation of the extremities, and will show up 
the effects in a more marked manner. By comparing the total varia- 
tions of each leg from the average stride we shall again notice the in- 
fluence of the different adjustments. We have the following: 

Fig. 143-A, 17 Ft. — 



nf 


of 


nh 


oh 


7-30 


5-i5 


7-35 


6.87 


Fig. 143-B, 16.34 Ft.— 








5-34 


4.16 


6.57 


4.85 


Fig. 142, 1 8. 1 1 Ft.— 








11.25 


12.27 


13.23 


9-59 



Here we have the smallest variations in the trial which was trotted 
best and with the least apparent effort. It should be remembered that 



Experiments and their Verification 183 

this horse had an energetic and rather short gait, which seemed to be 
disturbed by the increased toe leverage of Fig. 142, as the variations 
above would indicate. The adjustment of Fig. 143-B suited him much 
better. These comparisons serve to, bring out the observation that a 
horse can not always be extended much more than is natural for him, 
nor can his gait be shortened very much ; but in either event the gait 
may be regulated so as to overcome an increased tendency toward a 
longer or shorter gait. 

In all these trials nothing was done by means of poles to direct 
the off hind more to its outside line of motion, so that its direction 
would correspond with that of the near hind. The position of the off 
hind foot was no doubt an old habit which not even the increased ex- 
tension of the' off hind would rectify completely. 

In Fig. 144 are given a series of lateral extension with the angles 
of the feet, which may give the reader an idea as to the extent to which 
the directions of the feet are amenable to treatment. The positions of 
the feet of the trial of Fig. 142 are not included, but they are very 
similar to those of 143-B, showing, however, lesser angles in front and 
a placing of off hind on the outside of the median line, as in Fig. 
143-A on this comparative illustration of Fig. 144. Barring this con- 
firmed fault, it goes to show that the shoer has more or less control 
over the directions of the feet. 

A very small alteration in the way of shaping the feet and the 
shoes will result in a better direction, less interference, or none at all, 
and in an all round improved gait. 

These five diagrams of Fig. 144 will indicate the possibilities of 
continued effort to correct the locomotion as regards the angles of the 
feet, and in consequence also the curves resulting therefrom. For in- 
stance, the fore feet toed out and knee hitting was the result. Reduc- 
ing the angles to 4.7 and 5.3 reduces the inward curves, and there 
can be no interference, or at least very much less. Knee hitting, in 
this case, ceased altogether. 

What we were discussing, however, was the influence of weight 
of shoes, and, though it has been shown that extension is increased 
and the action of hind legs equalized thereby, the influence of such 



1 84 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



correction exerted on the fore legs should be borne in mind. In this 
case it was necessary to improve the extension of the off hind, and in 
accomplishing that we increased the extension of its correlated leg or 
the near fore. It seems impossible for a trotter to take the turns well 



reduced one 


half 






nh 77 f Oh 

\ t t 




of 

t 


r 


V V* A- 




A 


(See fig. 136 J 






Tit nf °l> 

t T t 


of 
t 




\-W \7.2- A*' 


n.4-' 




(See fig. 137 ) 






7>h n f 


oh 
t 


of 

f 


\r.3° \s.e° 


u 


/e.s 


f\5ee fig. /*3, A ) 






*h nf oh 

t t t 






if 


\«* \f /«■• 




M-/ 




'(Jet -fig. 143. B ) 






nh nf 

L _L 


oh 
t 


of 

1 


\C.7S" \*7» 


/S.6' 




«•/ 






unless the off hind leg has a free swing forward and unless, likewise, 
the near fore takes the lead ahead of the off fore. 

The case wound up with an excess of extensions in both near fore 
and off hind. It may, therefore, become necessary to modify such 
excess by the various means at our command. The principal point at 



Experiments and their Verification 185 

issue was to effect the equal extension of hind legs, on which balance 
and a square trot depended in this case. Now let us examine similar 
cases and verify the case just illustrated. 

A Nutwood Wilkes gelding with near fore leg weak on account 
of a swelled tendon and with a bog spavin on, near hind, presents an- 
other case of unequal extensions by reason of such faults or unsound- 
ness. In his action he was bold and impressive with fore and showed 
a fairly good hind action. His weakness, as mentioned, became evi- 
dent at his first trial, where he showed a greater extension with both 
off fore and off hind. In a trotter such extension on one side does not 
forebode any good, because the greater extension should more natur- 
ally result diagonally and not laterally. In this horse the excess of 
extension was as follows : 

Off fore over near fore = 0.28 ft., or 3.36 in. 

Off hind over near hind = 0.51 ft., or 6.12 in. 

He wore plain shoes, 8 oz. in front and 6 oz. behind, the fore 
having an approximate angle of 49 and the hind 53 . His natural 
attitude in front was straight, but behind he stood under slightly. The 
average distance between the correlated feet, or between front and 
hind in general, was in this trial only 3.03 ft., with an overstep of 5.22 
ft. For a long-bodied horse these were out of proportion to his stride 
of 16.5 ft. 

Our next trial was after a shoeing intended to show the effect of 
different lengths of toes. By having near fore toe longer than off fore, 
the extension of near fore was increased (to avoid a shock to the in- 
jured leg on account of such a longer foot) ; and by the relation be- 
tween it and the off hind, the latter extension — even then excessive — 
became greater still, and the difference between hind extensions was 
quite abnormal, being 10.92 in. greater on off hind. While the fore 
extended as follows: 



Near fore. 


Off fore. 


Total. 


8.31 


8.27 


16.58 


The hind showed: 






Near hind. 


Off hind. 


Total. 


7.38 


9.20 


16.58 



i86 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



Dividing the actual difference by 2, we have, as before, a very 
small difference in fore extension, but a very large difference in hind, 
as above noted. The average distance between the extremities was in 
this case 3.12 feet. 

Then followed a shoeing — at the usual interval of three weeks — 
which was also not quite correct. It appears in Fig. 145. The equal 
lengths of toe in fore put the extension of off fore back to where it 
was ; and the square toe on the off hind facilitated action and counter- 
acted the greater weight on near hind and its own steeper angle. 



/R\ 


3. 3 / 3 in 


/^\ 


ct 


toe 


H 


Vj u 

50° 




50° 
7 


3 fa in 


foes 


3 '/sin. 


B 




(Fl 


W u 

S3° 

\ 


•=7 c 


v> (J 



fi/a/n. but swelled heels 

ieb thicker Squocre toe 

FIG. 14-5 



,3.18 in 




FiG.m 



ad = 3.2S ft. 
be = 2^61 -ft . • 
J)/// .63 ft. 

or 7.56 m. 
Average ~ 2.94- ft 
Stride « 16.18 ft 



We have therefore the same faulty extension on off side, with 
which a trotter can never accomplish a square gait. The distance be- 
tween fore and hind (2.94 ft.) is also smaller than it should be for the 
stride of 16.18 feet. 

The following shoeing was done according to the indications of 
the previous trials, and appears in Fig. 147. The result of it was a 
somewhat better gait and a greater extension of near hind, together 
with a checking of off hind extension. The off fore again extends 
more than near fore by 3.6 inches, slightly more than in Fig. 146. 
While its distance from near hind increased by 0.21 ft. (3.46 — 3-25) 



Experiments and their Verification 



187 



over that in Fig. 146, the distance on the other two diagonal feet in- 
creased by 0.44 ft. (3.06 — 2.62), showing in all the regulating effect 
of weight on near hind, as well as a somewhat greater reaching out of 
both fore in this stride of 17.24 ft.. It appears again as if a greater 
stride would have with it a greater separation of front and hind ex- 
tremities. The conclusion is in a general way correct, and is sustained 
by other investigations. The comparisons here of the two strides 
given — ri6.i8 ft. and 17.24 ft. — and their respective average distances 
between fore and hind — 2.94 ft. and 3.26 ft. — will present with suffi- 



FlO. 147 

3'/iin. 3 3 /ain. 

foes. 
0)) 





J0° 



5/ 



3'/2, 



3 3 /8in. 



a @ 



53° 



S+ { 



plain - but 
web thicker 



dlRUW 



swelled heels 



Extensions 



3.6 in 




ad = 3.46 ft. 

b C = 3 .06 fh . 
cliff .10 ft . 

or 4.8 in . 
average - 3.26 fr.' 
Stride = 17.14- ft. 



cient clearness the general effect of a change of shoeing; and it will 
also serve as an illustration of the danger that lies in the lengthening 
out of the animal's body by the strain that is put on its back and its 
tendons. It is, therefore, well to bear in mind this distance and its pro- 
portion to the length of the animal as it appears when at rest ; that is 
to say, such a distance between the extremities when the subject is at 
rest will, with some horses, decrease somewhat under great speed be- 
cause of the backward propelling power of the fore legs and the 
anxiety of the hind legs to gain ground and, so to speak, take a hold 
of it to effect propulsion. The same observation can often be made in 



1 88 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

draft horses when they start a heavy load. It all depends on condi- 
tions and is largely due to conformation. As a rule, however, an in- 
crease of speed will separate the extremities a little more than usual, 
and if no excess results it seems quite natural for the horse to do so. 

Such greater separation with increased speed is observed when 
forging ceases at a faster gait ; but again the decreased distance or 
faulty approach of extremities shows itself in speedy-cutting. I be- 
lieve that the proper distance between hind a"nd fore is worthy of study 
and consideration, for it is really an important indicator of a good 
gait and enters largely into the question of balance, with a view to con- 
tinued soundness. 

The telling effect of weight is, of course, more readily accom- 
plished by greater speed. What six additional ounces may cause at a. 
four-minute gait, three ounces may do at a gait of two minutes and 
twenty seconds. 

Elsewhere I have explained the auxiliary importance of finding 
the variations of the actual strides of the four feet from the general 
average stride in order to see which legs are more active or more 
regular. The smaller in scope these variations are, that is, the less 
they exceed or fall short of the average stride, the greater must be the 
regularity of that gait. While the case last considered showed the 
effect of weight and would in time have shown a more correct and 
even extension, these variations were quite excessive. Here it is where 
variations indicate a fault or unsoundness that incapacitate the animal 
from continuing a racing career. The subject at a stride of 17.24 ft. 
showed the following variations from that average : 

Near fore. Off fore. Near hind. Off hind. 

+ 5.45 — 545 + 5-93 — 5-84 + 8.96 — 7.16 + 5.61 — 5.91 

Total Scope. 
10.90 1I -77 16.12 H-52 

proving according to the rule in Chapter IV. that off fore is the 
stronger leg because of its greater variations, and off hind is the 
stronger leg because of its lesser variations. In fact, the near hind 



Experiments and their Verification 189 

shows very excessive variations (16.12), which cannot possibly be con- 
ducive to speed or to a really square gait. This is mentioned merely to 
bring up the matter of variations as an auxiliary indication of the dis- 
turbing causes of an irregular gait. . 

Other experiments have repeatedly shown this influence of unequal 
weight in hind shoes. It is not claimed that these shoeings were ab- 
solutely the only correct ones to put the subject into the proper gait, 
although the effort was always directed toward that aim. Take, for 
instance, a third case where weight was thus applied. The subject 
was well bred, but knuckled over behind, causing irregular extensions 
in both extremities and too great a scope of variations. The horse was 
said to have trotted a full mile in 2:17 and was by Directum. He 
generally went pretty free and bold with fore, but behind skipped a 
good deal, although his hind action was above the average. He also 
had the bad fault of greater forward extension of hind over fore ; that 
is to say, though his average step was 15.80 ft., the fore together 
averaged 15.77 ft-» while the hind together averaged 15.84 ft. This 
does not by any means indicate that the hind stride was continuously 
longer than that of the fore, but that for those 20 strides the tendency 
of hind was to be more active than the fore, and in this trial the hind 
legs seemed to be running or bounding along. If more of the ground 
had been measured and additional data had been taken, it would have 
been found that such a longer stride (0.84 inch) did not prevail in the 
total distance, always provided the horse load trotted squarely. There 
was, however, this tendency of excessive hind activity, and the indi- 
vidual extensions of feet were as follows: 

Fore Hind 



Near. Off. Near. Off. 

8.12 7.65 7.29 8.55 

Dividing the difference between fore by 2, we have 0.235 ft., or 
2.82 in. for the position of near fore ahead of off fore ; and likewise 
with hind we have the off hind 0.63 ft., or 7.56 in., ahead of near hind. 
The horse wore 12 oz. in front and 8 oz. behind. The toes were 3% 
in. long all round, and the fore had an angle of 49 , while the hind 



190 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

were 54 . Great irregularity of gait was expressed by the total varia- 
tions from average stride: 

Fore Hind 



Near. Off. Near. Off. 

10.20 15.30 15.55 10.65 

The distance between extremities being rather long — 3.88 ft. — a 
further separation by means of toeweights seemed ill-advised. Hence 
the idea of unequal weight suggested itself. 

During the previous season the horse had received some attention 
and some success had been achieved by merely shaping the length of 
hoof and angle differently on hind feet. A higher angle and a shorter 
toe having generally less extension than a lower angle and a longer 
toe, the desired result was effected ; but habits of extensions, such as 
skipping behind, are hard to eradicate, and after a while the horse re- 
lapsed into his old way of going. It was, therefore, necessary to em- 
phasize or exaggerate the difference by weight, toe and angle all at the 
same time. I did not from the start consider this case amenable to 
treatment, but to prove the effect of weight with a resultant improved 
gait this plan was followed out. Fig. 149 will illustrate this shoeing, 
and the consequent extensions. There is apparently a conflicting testi- 
mony in the treatment of the fore feet as compared with the fore of 
Fig. 147, the extension of the latter being greater with the foot of 
longer toe and greater angle, in other words, with the longer foot or 
the off fore; while in this case (Fig. 149) the apparently shorter foot 
takes the lead. The latter effect is generally found to prevail, and this 
horse being sound in front, while the previous subject was unsound in 
the near fore through a swelled tendon, seems to prove the rule by the 
greater extension of the off fore. 

The idea of having the hind toes longer than the front .toes was 
erroneous, and especially with a horse that inclined to knuckle over. 
This horse always had had longer hind toes and hence the suggestion 
at the time. The main remedy for knuckling over seems to be an 
easy roll-over at the toe ; that is, a roll in shoe from heel to toe, but 
with a slightly beveled heel to check the rapidity of the break-over 



Experiments and their Verification 191 

towards the toe. If, however, the heel is arrested suddenly or sinks 
too far into the ground, the ankle will go over as before. It seems as 
if the suspending ligaments have lost their power to keep the ankle 
joint in position long enough to allow the backward extension to be 
finished before the foot is again lifted for another stride. 



3'/+ in 




50° 

bevel/ed on outside. fa 
hr event knee hitting • 
V ^ 



3, 7 /iem, 3 ? 16 in. 



foe • * ""' ' heel 



near hind: web thicker 
Extensions ." 

(7) 

FIG. M-9 

of-nh =3.58 ft. 
nf-oh -JJfft. 
dfff = .14- ft. 

or 2.88 in. 
aueracfe = 3 .+6 ft . 
Stride. - 15.5 ft 



72 m: 




It should be noted that the distance between the extremities is con- 
siderably less in this trial (3.46 ft.), as compared with that of previous 
trial (3.88 ft.), when the stride averaged 15.8 ft., or only 0.3 ft. more 
than the present stride of 15.5 ft. This difference is about 5 in. (0.42 
ft.), and shows the greater approach of the extremities by the influ- 
ence of greater weight and longer toes behind. Looking at the varia- 



ig2 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

tions from the average stride we again notice a change for the better, 
viz. : 

— Fore -Hind 

Near. Off. Near. Off. 

9.29 9-57 9-83 u-24 

This shows plainly that the two legs most deficient in extension — 
the off fore and the near hind — have now become more regular in 
their variations as against the previous trial, when they showed 15.30 
and 15.55 i n tota ^ °f variations. But the variations are still too wide 
in scope to constitute a regular gait. 

Various other applications of weight to the hind feet have had 
the same result when the object was to equalize the extension of both 
hind. It is well to bear in mind that the effect of weight as far as 
extension is concerned depends also largely on the shape of the shoe. 
In the last case, for instance, we might have directed the hind feet 
differently and prevented their extensions from being greater than 
those of fore. Instead of rocking motion shoes with a thin heel, there 
should have been swelled heels on both hind shoes and a square toe on 
near hind to accelerate action, which in this case would, by the extra 
weight, have caused greater extension ; but such a course would have 
been detrimental to the weak ankles which needed the rocking motion 
of shoe to prevent further injury and to lessen the knuckling over of 
these hind ankles. This horse was, therefore, not free from the ag- 
gravations of unsoundness ; but such is the lot of the man who under- 
takes to convert a badly gaited horse into a well gaited one : he is apt 
to be given the hardest cases. Many cases will come and go like the 
shadows of passing clouds, and the expectations of the man in trouble 
remind one of the signs in small tailor shops : ''Clothes mended while 
you wait." Many may differ with me in the application of the remedy, 
but I believe that the experiments embodied in this extended investiga- 
tion of the trotting gait will be sufficiently suggestive of remedies on 
similar lines. As long as the work is done with this method of analysis . 
as a basis and an accuracy of adjustment is maintained, there must fol- 
low an improvement of the disordered gait such as the animal in ques- 



Experiments and their Verification 193 

tion is capable of. The experiments are not given to be followed im- 
plicitly, but are rather to be accepted as suggestions in reasoning out 
such an improvement of the gait by means of a method which is here 
offered as a rational solution of the problem of balance. 

Having considered, in a general way, the effect of weight of 
shoes on hind feet, we shall now proceed to investigate the effect of 
squared toes on any one or on all feet, incidentally examining weight 
on front feet, and then passing on to the effect of longer heels on hind 
shoes. 

A. — Squared Toes of Shoes. 

We will first, however, look at the effect of equal weight on both 
hind feet when using a shoe that will facilitate the break-over at the 
toe, that is, the shoe with the squared toe. A filly by Sidney Dillon 
presents just such a case where weight of hind shoes was directed by 
the shape of the shoe. This filly had good front action, which was 
straightly directed, and because the hock action was also good, she was 
shod in the customary way: 9 oz. in front and 6 oz. behind. The 
usual prejudice against interference with the hock action prevailed, 
and the same old principle of getting the fore feet out of the way of 
the hind feet was believed to be the only proper manner of regulating 
her gait. 

Most of my trials took place on a piece of an old track well kept 
up, and of a fine loamy soil that afforded excellent footing when it was 
cared for ; but there was a slight incline on the stretch, and while most 
trials were made downhill, many a one was taken both ways. This 
filly could always trot more steadily and strongly when going uphill. 
She would lose the shifting or skipping behind and pick up her feet in 
a more exact manner. This fact first suggested the trial of heavier 
hind shoes both in this case and in others that afforded a similar ob- 
servation. This going downhill and uphill is similar to the two ways 
of going of Edgington in sulky and under saddle, as given in Figs. 28 
and 29, where the weight on his back acted like the depression of hind 
quarters as caused by the uphill movement of the filly in this case. 



i 9 4 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



This case is a very fine example of the influence of weight on hind 
feet and of its direction by the shape of the shoe. It is a case where 
a well developed hind action under ordinary work changed into an ex- 
cessive hind extension which was not in harmony with front action. 
From the usual 9 oz. in front and 6 oz. behind, indications suggested 
the unusual 6 oz. in front and 9 oz. behind. Through it all there was a 
queer tendency to extend both members of the near side ahead of those 
on the off side, as if the subject would prefer to pace; but this she 
never offered to do. The experiments were made in two seasons, the 

F/6 15 7. 



Fig. 1 50 

'3 3 /s//7 
toe. 



SO' 



& 



roll 



MM 



creased toe. 



5 J Ain 
toe. 

53° 




■ 6 in 



<k to 



5we//ed Short heels 





sr—^ in 


Tif-oh = 
of nh - 

cliff ' 
or 2.88 


3.24 ft 
3.- ft 
24 ft 
in 


average 
stride * 
Overstep ■■ 


= 3.12 ft 

15.01 ft 

-- +.39 ft 




1.08 m 



*8 in 



nf-oh= 3 24 ft 
of -nh = 3.11 ft 
cLiff = .13 ft 

or /.56m 
average = 3.18 ft 
Stride = /4„.36ft 
overstep* 3.99 ft 



first one ending as above stated regarding the shoes and the second 
beginning again on the old plan, but quickly changing to the final de- 
cision, which not only lengthened her stride, but increased her speed 
very considerably. 

After a preliminary trial made to get an idea for the next shoeing, 
she was shod as given in Fig. 150. The near fore had a tendency to 
toe in so that, while at previous trial the off fore showed 5.5 ° outward 
toeing, the near fore showed — 3.2 or that much inward toeing. "By 
paring the foot as indicated under the shoe, the near fore at this trial 
showed o°, or a straight direction. 



Experiments and their Verification 195 

The hind feet in previous trial showed a lack of distance between 
them, and by paring inside of both we gained an increase from 4.3 in. 
of previous trial to 7 in. in this trial. Her gait was therefore more 
open, as intended. 

There being also an uphill trial, I give the extensions of both in 
Fig. 151. Although the stride of the downhill was naturally longer 
(15.02 ft.) than that of the uphill trial (14.36 ft.) by 8 in., there was 
a slight increase in the separation of the extremities (about 24 m -) 
and the overstep of hind over fore on either side was a good deal less, 
namely, 0.4 ft. or 4.8 inches, though this difference is not excessive, con- 
sidering the shorter stride. It stands to reason that there was in the 
uphill trial a good deal more exertion at propulsion, as the variations 
from each average stride will prove, namely: 

Downhill. 



Total Var. 




Total Var. 


—Fore 




Hind 


Near. Off. 




Near. Off. 


+ 173 — 178 +172 — 


1.27 


+ 1.49— 1-84 + 2.04 — 


3-51 2.99 




3-33 443 



2.39 



Uphill. 

+ 2.40 — 2.58 +2.95 — 2.80 +3.19 — 3.09 +3.29 — 2.99 

4.98 5.75 6.28 6.28 

The hind feet seem to have less forward extension, as the dif- 
ference in the oversteps will show. The reason that the separation 
of extremeties is not greater (3.18 ft. — 3.12 ft. = 0.06 ft., or 3/J in.) 
lies in the fact that the fore feet also tend to have more backward ex- 
tension going uphill. The off fore that was behind the near fore going 
downhill points back still more, and the near hind that pointed for- 
ward going downhill now ceases to do so going uphill. With this 
greater action of hind we lose therefore the too free activity of the 
near hind, and the result is that the extension of both hind becomes 
more equal than it was going downhill. 

This incline of the track was surveyed and showed on the stretch 
used for the experiments the following grade: 

14 inches in 400 feet. 



196 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

This is an incline not too steep to cause any material commotion 
in the animal's movements, and represents about the usual downhill 
path of the homestretch on many tracks. Since a horse is supposed 
to make his greatest efforts at that part of the mile, he should show 
then the best possible gait and balance, and as it is a severe test for 
the balance of the horse to be compelled to control the additional mo- 
mentum of a downhill path, it always seemed to me as being an ap- 
propriate place to find out the very faults of gait which cause distress. 
Still more appropriate were the double trials ; that is, one shoeing 
tested in both downhill and uphill directions, which will be discussed 
in Chapter IX. ; but many other trials were made on level tracks. 

Wishing to give this matter another test before reversing the 
weights of the shoes, another trial was made with the same shoes reset 
and angles of hind feet lowered i°. With about the same stride down- 
hill (15.08 ft.) and a similar one uphill (14.23 ft.), there is still a 
larger difference in the averages of extensions behind in the downhill 
trial, namely: 

Fore Hind 



Near. Off. Near. Off. 

+ .09 o +42 o 

Now, having the subject trot uphill, we have: 

Fore -Hind 

Near. Off. Near. Off. 

-f.03 o +-i° ° 

which all means that in the downhill trial the near fore preceded the 
off fore 1.08 in., and the near hind preceded the off hind 5.04 in. ; and 
that in the uphill trial these differences dwindle down to negligible 
distances. Again comparing the other distances we have : 

Stride. Dist. correl. feet. Oversteps. 

Downhill 15-08 3.30 4.24 

Uphill 14.23 3.34 2>-7? 

which are all in about the same proportion as those of previous trials, 
with perhaps a shade less separation of extremities than formerly. 



Experiments and their Verification 197 

My notes say that she trotted very much better uphill than downhill. 
It will be observed that the distance between the extremities in the 
downhill trial with the longer stride is less than that of the uphill trial 
with the shorter stride, showing thereby the excessive activity, or 
rather the excessive extension of the hind legs downhill. 

These trials, therefore,' determined me to put 6 oz. shoes on fore 
and 9 oz. shoes on hind feet. The tradition is that such a change is 
likely to bring about a pacing gait. In fact, with the extensions on 
the same side (i.e., near side), I was inclined to fear that; but shod 
as in Fig. 152, she trotted fairly well, except that her gait was a little 
irregular, and the hind shoes slid a good deal at the heels. She also 
forged a little now and then. The result showed some improvement, 
but there was still that pacing extension on near side. The stride was 
not as extended, and appeared to be a little short-gaited or tied up. 

The season was near its close, and a few trials with unequal 
weight in hind shoes did not improve matters very much. These trials 
proved again that the relation between fore and hind enters largely 
into the effect which any unequal weight may have on one particular 
foot. Besides, there are length and angle of toe, and the shape of shoe 
to be considered. Experience has shown me that any difference of 
length of toe is not conducive to an even gait except where there is a 
difference in the size or shape of the hoofs, or where in conjunction 
with a higher heel the whole leg is lengthened by a fraction of an 
inch in order to counteract any difference in length between two op- 
posite fore or hind legs. So much depends on the evidence of the 
tracks, which reveal the weak points of the four feet, that enough 
stress cannot be laid on its study. No horse is perfect, and all four 
legs do not always move and act alike. The difference may be a tem- 
porary habit, but it may also be a permanent structural inability, which 
can be found only by a persistant analysis of the gait and overcome by 
shoeing to meet the demands of a square gait. 

Even in these last trials of that season it became apparent that 
the weight of shoe and the angle of the foot worked well together as 
a combination and that when the conditions of length of toe and shape 



198 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



of shoe were equal as regards either the two fore or the two hind feet, 
the former could be effectively used to regulate the gait of the filly. 
The following season this filly was again shod on the old plan, 
namely, 9 oz. in front and 6 oz. behind, with an angle of 48 on fore 
and of 52 on hind, the front toes being 3^ in. and the hind ones 3^2 
in. The shapes of the shoes were the same as before. While the fore 
showed a fairly good hold of ground, the hind plain shoes slipped now 
at heels, now at toes. Fig. 153 gives the extensions of that shoeing and 

3'A-tn. 

t~OJLs 

50° 



MML. 



Z7roll 



3 'Am. 
toe, 

SZ 



^z 



swelled heels 
Sxfensions : 




1. 4-4- in. 



F 1 6. 1 52 



nf-oh~ 3.26 ft. 
oF-nh = 3.01ft 
diff. = ~9 ft. 

J/ or 2.28 in. 
average, = 3.18 ft. 
Striate ^ 14-jOft. 
overstep - 3.88 ft 



.84-m. 




F/0J53. 



nf-on - 
of-nh = 
diff. ■= 



} 1.62 m, 



3.17 ft; 

2.. 95 ft . 

~TTlft. 
or 1.64- in. 

diff above - hl± fn • 
due. to greater .30 in . 
extension ofhind=.ois ft 
aueraqe, - 3.00 ft . 
Stride = 15.65 Ft . 
fore = /S.6+ft.hind:/S.69ft. 
diff .- .6 in . 



trial. We still have the greater activity of the hind legs ; in fact, it is 
too plainly seen in the two averages of the fore (15.64) and of the 
hind (15.69). While I still contend that the average stride for all 
four legs must be the same, the small difference between fore and 
hind average in this as well as in a former case serves to indicate a lack 
of harmony between the fore and hind action. In a square gait such 
differences do not appear and can not exist. The average distance 
between extremities is again closer than it had been and by observa- 



Experiments and their Verification 199 

tion it was seen that action in front was higher than it used to be. At 
a distance it gave the impression as if she was single- footing just a 
little now and then. From the variations of the strides it was seen 
that they were all nearly the same, with the exception of the near fore, 
which exceeded the other three, showing the tendency of that leg to 
point forward. This may have been due to the near hind reaching 
forward habitually, hence the greater extension of near fore to avoid 
the interference. It was evident that the hind extension had to be 
checked in order to equalize it with that of fore. As is well known, 
there are two remedies for that: square toes and heel calks. I chose 
them both for the next shoeing, and it was plainly demonstrated that 
the mare's good hind action could thereby be restored and converted 
from too much low extension into higher elevation. The front shoes 
were creased at the toe to afford a firmer hold, since the previous trial 
showed some slipping of the toes of the fore feet. The shoeing is given 
in Fig. 154.* We notice an easier and longer stride and the expected 
check to hind extension. The average distance between extremities 
has increased to 3.32 ft., and the extension of off hind over near hind 
is quite marked. Again the observation was made that the turns 
were taken much better and more steadily and without loss of time or 
speed. 

In the beginning of this chapter under Figs. 90 and 92, the ad- 
vantage of just such* a change of extension was explained, and this is 
another example of the importance of not only ascertaining what the 
extensions are, but also of trying to change them in order to have the 
animal take the turns with greater ease and without loss of speed. 

I increased the angle of off fore because the toe on that foot was 
somewhat dished and flattened out ; and in order to overcome such a 
toe leverage as compared with that of the opposite mate, the heel was 
raised. Observations to that effect were made in a previous case and 
will appear again subsequently. The off hind had likewise a some- 
what lower heel than near hind, which may in part account for its 
greater extension. It may as well be mentioned that where such dif- 
ferences of angles or toes are made there may appear indifferent re- 
sults ; but much depends upon the accurate execution of the work, 



200 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

and, if there is not the expected result, a second trial under similar 
but with more emphasized conditions should be made. Too much 
changing from one extreme to the other, and trials too soon after 
shoeing, all lead to confusion of results. 

Aided by the eye, the last trial of this filly showed more room for 
improvement still. For the next shoeing I chose the one given in Fig. 
155. There will be seen the change to heavier hind shoes again, a 




SO" 



ix 



^^ 



foes 
'Creased 




3 3 /sw. 
tog. 



5V 

toes 
Squared c=r 



J 2' 



Extensions : 

.3 m. 




FIG. 15*. 

Dfsf.of-nh^ 3.4-5 ft. 
Dist.nf-oh = 3.21 ft. 
j/ff. - % .24- ft 

or 2.33 in. 
average — 3.32 it . 
Stride - J 6. 07 ft. 
overstep - +.72 ft. 



x^^v 


3 3 / S in 


*^^\ 


H 


)*•( 


W) 


v> 

50 


roll 


51° 


^ 




3 Vain. 


*§ij&\ 


(FD 


too, ( 


B 


5 1 9 




53° 


Squared foes . 



F/O./SS. 



shorter toe for the hind than for the fore, and an increased angle for 
off hind to facilitate the turns in backward extension and to check any 
excess of forward extension, such as the previous trial indicated. The 
creased toe of front shoe and the scooped or concave toe of hind shoe, 
with a square toe at its point, were again employed. These creases 
prevent slipping in a measure, and the concave toes act like "grabs" 



Experiments a?id their Verification 201 

and keep hold of ground, while the heel calks of the hind shoe and its 
square toe enable the foot to break over quickly, thereby excluding a 
long contact with ground and inducing a higher action. 

Unfortunately, no trial was made on account of a misunder- 
standing and the filly's subsequent removal ; but there was a great im- 
provement in her gait and speed. Whether subsequent developments 
showed this to be the right balance I do not know. She was going 
well then, and very soon after showed an easy mile in 2.2J. Her fast- 
est mile before that was about 2.45. 

Her case again proves that weight on hind feet increases their ex- 
tension and also that such extension can be converted into a higher 
action by the properly shaped toe, as in this instance the squared toe 
heel calk shoe proved to be. 

It should be remembered, however, that the filly had naturally 
good hock action similar to that of Lou Dillon, and that the neglect of 
same caused at to become lower and more extended, which spoiled her 
gait. Only by bringing it back to its former elevation by the proper 
shoe, were her gait and speed improved. My former contention, 
therefore, that the hind action should be looked after as well as the 
front action and that heavy shoes in front do not by themselves solve 
the problem of balance, seems to be borne out in this case as well as 
in other cases. 

As regards weight in front shoes, I have also some evidence to 
offer to the reader. Let me again urge upon him the necessity of hav- 
ing a clear analysis of the gait of the animal to be shod, so that the in- 
telligent horseshoer may at least not be quite in the dark as to what 
remedy to apply. It should be the trainer's business to ascertain the 
peculiarities of gait in detail and also to know the various results from 
various shoeings. Great nicety of adjustment of shoe and hoof is the 
first requisite of balancing a horse, and this the shoer can only ac- 
complish when properly instructed as to the manner of locomotion. 

Action in front is not always amenable to remedies intended for 
greater extension. We have seen that toe-weights have that influ- 
ence on extension to a certain degree ; but again much depends on 
whether the action is rapid or naturally more sweeping. Heavy shoes 



202 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

in front have a better effect on the rapidly gaited trotters and toe- 
weights bring apparently the best results on those with a longer reach. 
Equally heavy shoes in front seem to increase elevation rather than 
extension of action; they help to balance the horse by giving the 
action in front a certain regularity and steadiness. 

The direct effect of weight in the shoe — provided the same is 
equally distributed in the web — occurs with the flexion rather than 
with the unfolding of the leg; in fact, it increases the flexion of the 
leg if so directed by trie shape of the shoe. 

To illustrate the relative flexion of fore and hind legs again, let 
me call attention to Fig. 156. It represents a simple piece of machin- 
ery such as the eye presumes to see on one side of a trotter. Let A B 
be the body and A C H the hind and B D F the front articulation in 




general. The direct effect of weight on H will be upward (M H) 
and forward while the angle at C closes ; while the same effect on F 
will be also upward (N F) but backward while the angle at D closes. 
The flexions both at C and D are here presumed to be at their 
greatest point, and H as well as F at their highest elevation. The re- 
maining parts of the paths H P and F O have therefore a downward 
tendency, with this difference: C having reached its greatest eleva- 
tion, its angle unfolds or opens more readily, and the momentum of 
the weight in shoe is therefore more readily transmitted in a more 
forward direction, while D, though at its greatest point of flexion, is 
raised still higher (E), when its angle opens, and in the path of F the 
momentum of shoe is therefore transmitted in a more downzvard di- 
rection. In other words, at the unfolding of the hind leg the mo- 
mentum of weight is directed in a more horizontal line, while at the 



Experiments and their Verification 203 

unfolding of the fore leg the momentum of weight is directed in a 
more vertical line. 

The angle at C is open toward the direction of motion, while the 
angle at D opens in an opposite manner and away from it. Therefore 
it is evident that forward extension is much more natural for the hind 
leg than it is for the fore leg. While weight on the hind foot may 
lower the elevation of action, it easily increases extension ; but in order 
to increase extension in the fore legs we must not have too great a 
flexion of knee or closing of angle B D F, but rather a sufficient ele- 
vation of the knee D, together with a gradual unfolding or opening 
of the angle at D, so that extension may be more easily accomplished. 
Reference is again made to Fig. 20, which gave the resultant ele- 
vation of the foot due to high action and a sudden unfolding of knee 
flexion in the curve A C, and the resultant greater extension due to a 
lower action and a more gradual unfolding of knee flexion in the 
curve A B. 

The direct effect of toe-weight is in throwing forward the foot at 
the last part of the unfolding of fore legs, thereby increasing its ex- 
tension. Mere weight of the front shoe induces greater flexion and 
somewhat greater elevation of knee. Much depends on the trotter's 
natural action in front, whether it be rapid or sweeping; and, again, 
much depends on the action of the hind legs and their direct influence 
on the fore. When a horse is naturally low gaited in front and has the 
additional vicious attitude of hind feet pointing forward, the problem 
of interference and of consequent balance is indeed a very hard one to 
solve. 

While we cannot always separate the extremities in order to avoid 
interference and with safety to the animal, the work should not, if 
possible, confine itself to an effort for mere extension in front, but also 
for more backward action behind. And, furthermore, an increased 
elevation of hind action will also have its telling effect on the low 
action in front. This inability of "getting away" in front is one of the 
hardest problems of training and shoeing. Toe-weights will be ef- 
fective to a degree, but the fault will be more or less of a bar to great 
speed. Very often this fault is due to an unequal extension of feet, and 



204 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



this may be corrected if we can afford, by time and patience and slower 
speed, to carry out this correction. When investigating the gait of 
"Lou Dillon" we found a peculiar crossing over of fore legs. In a 
lesser degree this has been observed in other trotters ; and although 
such a way of going appears freakish, there seems to be good reason for 
not disparaging that kind of locomotion. Aside from the absence of 
interference with the hind feet, no matter how far the latter reach 
forward, the fore feet seem to display a greater power for propulsion 
by their contact with the ground on opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 
157. The feet that move together are on either side of that speedy 
mare and the shaded portions of the feet indicate the part of the foot 
that gives the impetus. Instead of its being the point of the front toe > 






Of 



[ k 



of 



A\ 



n 

nh oh 

Fig. 157 

where the leverage is often fatiguing, the outside toe effects the pro- 
pulsion and does it more readily because of the smaller leverage. Be- 
hind the propulsion is effected by the full toe. Again, the slight sway 
of the body from side to side gives additional momentum to the motion 
of the horse. It is really a combination of the diagonal propulsion of 
the trot with the lateral propulsion of the pace. The picture of 
Cresceus 2 102% and his peculiar attitude always suggested to my mind 
a similar mode of locomotion. 

A picture of Sweet Marie 2:02 at speed is given in Fig. 157a, and 
even here it becomes apparent that such crossing over of the fore feet 
is very likely a feature of her gait. The photograph at least seems to 
disclose such a fact. I have always regretted having been unable to 
investigate her gait, but distance and business forbade my doing so. 



Experiments and their Verification 205 

1 But not all trotters have recourse to such an expedient to remove 
their forelegs out of the path of an active pair of hind legs, much to 
the sorrow of the trainer ; and hence there will always be more or less 
trouble in the balancing of those horses that have indifferent action in 
front. 

Roberge's general rules for extending the reach of a foot by 
lowering its angle and checking it by increasing the angle of the foot 
are primarily true of the bare foot, or of the foot shod with a plain 
shoe, but under certain conditions these rules require some modifica- 
tions. Much as I am against the use of shoes of unequal weight or of 
unequal shape, or of any inequality of length of toe and angle be- 
tween the fore or between the hind, there are many cases where a 
regular gait and the best speed are effected in making just such differ- 
ences. Combinations of various weights and shapes of shoes, as well 
as of various angles and length of toe, are obviously great in num- 
ber; but the main object of all such combinations must remain that the 
distances of the two pairs of correlated feet should be at all times the 
same. Only when such distances are the same can we expect an even, 
faultless gait.' We cannot always equalize the extensions, and if these 
differences are slight no danger springs from them. We have already 
noticed how a horse may be benefited by an increased extension of 
the near fore and off hind when taking the turns; in fact, the diffi- 
culty of getting around the turn is mostly due to the increased ex- 
tension of the other pair of feet ; but even when the above favorable 
extension occurs in a horse to excess, the probability of a good gait 
on the stretch is also in question. 

My experiments were made mostly with the object in view of 
keeping the distances of correlated feet alike and of holding any one 
excessive extension as being a menace to the safety and soundness of 
the horse. In the trials of animals owned by me I allowed myself a 
little more liberty of ascertaining the effects of various conditions im- 
posed for that purpose. It is, however, not my advice to the reader to 
try indiscriminately the shoeings noted down, but rather to make 
changes only when called for by the analysis of the gait, and to do so 
gradually. Much of the necessary change may be temporary only, and 



2o6 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

if there is a permanent inequality necessary there must be also a per- 
manent structural fault somewhere. The two front and the two hind 
feet may not always be alike either in size or in growth of toe or heel, 
so that after three weeks from the date of shoeing the horse may again 
be out of balance ; or, on the other hand, it may be just this inequality 
in toe length and angle that may cause a better way of going at the 
end of those three weeks. Hence arises the advisability of accurately 
observing the actual conditions, small in difference as they may seem, 
of the four feet at such a period of apparent balance. 

While, therefore, it may be said that more weight on front feet 
increases the action rather than the extensions of same, when both 
feet and shoes are alike, any inequality in length of toe or in angle or 
in shape of foot may have a different effect, as seen in other experi- 
ments. Besides, there is always the influence of the hind extension 
on the fore which may induce the fore to respond to it, so that the fore 
cannot be said to act or extend quite independently and vice versa, the 
increased activity or extension of one fore leg influences the diagonal 
or correlated hind leg in its movements and extensions. This inter- 
relation of the feet is one of the most difficult points of balance to 
adjust, and will always have to be taken into account when trying to 
regulate the movements of one particular leg. We cannot always say 
that one correction will influence just one particular foot, because it 
generally reflects on the action of the correlated foot as well. Having 
the weight and shape of shoes under consideration, I shall now en- 
deavor to show the effect of unequal weight in front and also that of 
the squared toe. However difficult it may appear to understand this 
relation between the fore and hind, the effect is readily seen in the 
results of shoeings such as here given. 

A gelding by Nutwood Wilkes will serve as a subject for unequal 
weights, angles and toes. The peculiarities of his gait were the ex- 
cessive extensions of near fore and off hind. The near fore was dished 
at toe and would naturally point forward, and the off hind was in con- 
sequence interfering with off fore and got into the habit of going in 
between the paths of the two fore feet, or inside of off fore. 

Fig. 158 gives a shoeing intended to correct these tendencies of 



Experiments and their Verification 207 

excessive extension. The result of the extensions is quite unsatisfac- 
tory, because it shows the pacing or single-foot habit of extensions. 
The fore were corrected by a heavier shoe and greater angle on the 
near fore, increasing the action and elevation of near fore and de- 

3'A in . , 

53° £0° 

roll 





FIG. 158, 



Z46m 

Disf.nf-oh = 3M ft 
D/st. of -nli = 3.?6 ft . 

Cf/ff = ^38 ft . 

or -4:56 in . 
average dist . = 3.65 ft . 
stride = 1 1.5 ft 

creasing its extension in spite of the off hind being still more extended 
than near hind. 

The square toe of the right fore, in this instance, facilitates the 
leverage at toe and the lower angle favors a better extension. The 
variations from general average stride show the off fore to be the freer 



208 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

and more active leg, because their scope is greater than that of the near 
fore. Behind, the off foot was not fully corrected by either lighter 
shoe, greater angle or longer and more swelled heel, for it still retained 
its extension over that of the near hind. Because of this persistent 
habit behind, the gait was not fully satisfactory and correct. About 
the longer heel behind we shall later have more to investigate, but it 
may be mentioned that most experiments showed that longer hind 
heels (compared with the heels of opposite hind foot) will strike 
ground sooner, and the foot, to avoid a shock, will be carried to a 
greater forward extension. With merely thicker heels this seems not 
to take place, but the backward reach is rather facilitated thereby and 
the extension lessened. 

In Fig. 159 we have such a correction for the hind, but the near 
fore is again too active. This is due to lowering the heel from 53 ° to 
50 and squaring toe. There is no doubt but what the squared toe of 
the shoe will bring about a readier action than the ordinary round 
toe, and it is this quickened action which, when properly directed by 
weight and angle, can be a great benefit to the horse. Squared toes, 
in general, tend rather toward greater elevation of action, other condi- 
tions being equal. 

In Fig. 159 the squared toes on fore had not the desired effect on 
the gait of this horse, because he was naturally rapid gaited and pos- 
sessed little of that desirable forward reach of the front legs that 
counts in speed. It will be noticed that the average distance of cor- 
related feet is less (3.32 ft.) than it was in Fig. 158 (3.65 ft.), show- 
ing the effect of squared toes in front. Hind toes were about }i inch 
shorter than front toes to check in a measure the forward extension 
of hind, which was his great fault. The off hind, though restrained 
by thicker heel and greater angle, and set back by easier action of near 
hind due to squared toe, was still in evidence as a "pointer ;" but even 
then its natural relation with the near fore did not make it extend ex- 
cessively. This shows the effective way of shoeing behind in this case. 
The greater weight on near fore does not show the effect of less ex- 
tension, because of the peculiar formation of that foot, it being dished 



Experiments and their Verification 



209 



at toe and prone to point forward, unless kept at a much steeper 
angle, as in Fig. 158. 

Let us follow the shoeings of this gelding in their various appli- 
cations. Three weeks later we have the shoeing of Fig. 160. Leav- 
ing off the extra weight from near fore and increasing the angle, as 
well as swelling the heel of that shoe, did not improve or rather check 



<B)/' : (B) 



so 



so 



53° «o 



Sf 



■JM® 



Extensions U 



FIG. I $9 



Dist. nf -oh- 3.43ft 
Dish oh fi h = '3.Zjft. 
Diff- . - -2 2// 
1 or 2.64 in 
Average dist. = 3.32 ft 
stride. «_* I4-.I1 ft 




2.S& 
in.! 







nh 
oh 



-SS\\N^ 



Extensions 



Dfsf.nf-oh* 3.35ft 
Dish of -nh -325 ft. /> 
diff. = ./Oft. \ 
or /. 2 in 

Average dist. - 3.33 ft. 
Stride - 14.05 ft 




its extension, but did increase it. The off hind also shows increased 
extension due no doubt to a lower angle (54°-53°). In this case the 
round toe of near fore has the advantage over the square toe of off 
fore, and the extension of same is also increased by the difference in 
the roll of shoe, the near fore having a quicker or forward roll from 
heel to toe, while the off fore has an equally divided roll from middle to 



2io Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



both heel and toe. Besides, its greater extension draws with it the off 
hind in this case. In this shoeing the feet with the square toes follow 
behind those with the round toes. We shall refer to this again in 
other cases. 

In the shoeing of Fig. 161 the squared toes were reversed ; that 
is to say, the other pair of correlated feet were so shod. The result 




77/7 
oh 



«l 



.11 



Extensions : 

^W 1 ^ no. let. 




Dist.of-nh = 3.52 ft. 
Dist. nf-oh - 3J0 rt. 
dif f. - .32 ft. I 

or 3.84 in. 
Autrage otist. •= J.36/iv 
Striate - A2.32//J 



shows a decreased extension of the squared near fore and a somewhat 
increased extension of the squared hind. We should, however, take 
into consideration the lesser angle of off hind foot, which difference 
would in itself tend toward a greater forward extension. We can 
notice the effect of weight on near fore and also the direct effect of 
squared toe, but behind this is not so evident. The off hind was always 



Experiments and their Verijicatio7i 2 1 1 

the most active foot and the square toe, together with the consequent 
higher action caused by same, and the influence of the higher elevation 
of its correlated near fore, increased the greater extension of the off 
hind. It is noteworthy that the effect of near fore on off hind is 
neither in this nor in the previous shoeing as great or at all as visible 
as was the effect on the fore by the hind, as illustrated in previous 
shoeings. 



B. — Longer Heels on Hind Shoes With And Without Squared 

Toes. 

The squaring of the toe of the shoe, other things being equal, has 
the effect of a readier leverage at the toe and a shorter time-contact 
with the ground ; and it makes the foot more responsive to the influ- 
ence of weight and of angle of toe. If one foot only is squared at 
either or both extremities, its elevation will be increased and its ex- 
tension will be, as a rule, somewhat checked, much depending on the 
difference of angle, of weight of the shoe and of length of toe, as com- 
pared with the other foot. 

In all of these experiments erroneous corrections are bound to 
appear as judged by a better or worse extension of correlated feet. 
The combinations possible to make are very numerous, and therefore 
are apt to lead to error unless the results are critically compared. 
After eliminating the error so made, there will still be ample facts left 
to establish certain general deductions and rules which, when care- 
fully applied, will yield the corrections for a defective gait. 

Squaring the toes of correlated feet has often led to the straight- 
ening out of equine locomotion. Another direct effect on hind ex- 
tension is brought about by comparatively longer heels of shoe on one 
hind foot only ; and such effect will also be shown in some of the ex- 
periments offered here. 

Fig. 162 gives a modification of the shoeings of Fig. 160 and Fig. 
161, principally in regard to weight and angle. A comparatively longer 
heel on near hind proves to have the effect in this case, as well as in 
others, to increase forward extension. We shall for the present deal 



212 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



with the longer heel in conjunction with a round toe. The longer heel 
does not come under Roberge's rules of pointing apparently, for these 
refer only to a high and a low heel. A long heel is especially effective 
with a lower angle as compared with the opposite foot, as shown in 
Fig. 162. 

Fig. 163. 

3?8 in. ful1 

"V to& v 

jo° so 




10 
51° 



3 f /Sn 
toe- 



8 
50 



&4 




52° . . 5+* 

Swelled heels 



thicker wed 
longer heels 



Extensions ' 



54- in 

Fl 0.162. 



Dist nf- oh = 3.61ft. 

Disf.of-nh = 3. +3 ft. 

J) iff. = .Id ft. 

or 2.16 in. 
Average olist. - 3.53 ft 
Stride = 11.8 ft 






^M£?. 




, 71 h heels longer 
lut toe full. 




1.68 In ( 



Dist of-nh = 3.55 ft. 
List. nf-oh = 3.4-1 ft . 

•P'tt = .14- ft. 

or 1.63 in 
Average dist. - 3.4-8 ft 
Stride = J 3. S3 ft 



It has always seemed to me that such forward extension is caused 
by a lessened elevation, as well as by a greater "ground surfaced as 
the shoer calls it. I do not quite share this view of the longer sur- 
face causing an increase of extension by itself, though it may add its 



Experiments and their Verification 2 1 3 

mite in that direction. It seems more rational to explain the cause of 
such greater extension by the endeavor of the animal to avoid a shock 
such as a long heel will in a measure produce, and to equalize the 
touch of heels on ground by reaching out farther with the foot which 
carries the longer heels ; especially if its' angle is lower. 

In Fig. 162 the lower hind angle (52 ) and the heavier weight (9 
oz.) lend their assistance toward a forward extension ; and, on the other 
hand, the greater angle (54°) or higher heel with the lighter weight 
(7 oz.) tend to retard the extension of the opposite or off foot. The 
square toe in this case tends to elevate the action, while the round toe 
tends to lessen the elevation. In front we have again the near fore 
restrained in extension by greater weight and angle, even though the 
off fore has a squared toe. In both these front extensions there is 
again visible the influence of the hind action, the off hind still further 
restraining the near fore and near hind giving impetus or activity to 
the off fore. 

Continuing with the same subject we have the conditions of the 
shoeing of Fig. 163, which are practically the same as in Fig. 162, ex- 
cept for the shorter toes of fore and of hind and more particularly 
the difference in angles between fore and between hind of both shoe- 
ings. This difference in angles stops the extensions of both right fore 
and left hind and gives the active right hind a chance to assert its 
habit of forward extension, as in Fig. 161, but in a much smaller 
degree. 

Weight restrains the left fore and helps the left hind (Fig. 163). 
The shoes of right fore and left hind being set full, the extension is 
also helped thereby. In the variations from average stride both fore 
were nearly alike in steadiness, and the left hind was much the stead- 
ier of the two hind. The shoe of the right hind had the heels a trifle 
thicker than the left hind and this may also have caused a quicker 
break-over at toe. The difference in hind extensions, however, was 
considerably less. At any rate, the variations from average stride 
were too great in extent to endorse this shoeing as correct, and the 
trial showed it somewhat. Let us pass on to another shoeing in Fig. 
164. The main point here is the difference in toe-lengths of hind 



214 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

feet, and the forward extension of off hind with its squared toe is so 
excessive that it is well worth noting as compared with the near hind 
with the shorter foot and longer heels on the shoe. Here, again, the 
longer foot of the off hind is more effective in greater forward exten- 
sion. Incidentally, I may remark that certain manipulations or changes, 
mch as a squared toe or a longer heel, do not always work out the ex- 
pected improvement or pre-conceived plan of correction because cer- 
tain auxiliary conditions are not always the same in the opposite or diag- 
onal foot. That is very often the reason why the effect is contrary 
to expectation at times. 

Here (Fig. 164) we have intentionally lengthened the right hind 
foot, squared the toe and swelled the heels a little more than those of 
left hind, and we have also given the left hind shoe longer heels and 
a round toe. We have, therefore, increased the breakover of the right 
hind and made it more difficult for the left hind. Again, we have 
raised the heels of the left fore slightly, and though somewhat influ- 
enced by its diagonal mate, the right hind, it shows no excessive ex- 
tension in consequence. The speed of the horse was greater, as the 
stride will show, and the variations of the movements of the legs from 
the average stride were less in extent but similar in manner, showing 
the steadier movements to be with the right fore and the left hind. 
The gait may be said to have been spoiled by the over-active and un- 
steady right hind leg. 

On the whole the result shows that the adjustment of the near 
hind did not counteract the tendency of the off hind to reach forward. 
The effect of the squared toe of the latter was towards a higher ac- 
tion, which again was converted into a greater forward extension 
partly by a longer foot (3^ in.) and partly by a confirmed habit. 
The greater weight and longer heels of the near hind shoe did not, 
therefore, in this instance check or offset the activity of the off hind- 
leg. 

A similar instance of habitual extension with one hind leg we 
saw in a gelding whose shoeings were described in Figs. 137-144,. 
some of the shoeings omitted there being now given to show similar 
effects of a squared toe with a longer foot and witU longer heels, as 



Experiments and their Verification 



2^5 



with the subject here discussed. It will be remembered that this 

gelding's off hind foot had a short forward extension and that weight, 

angle and length of foot finally brought about an improvement of gait. 

The omitted shoeings now given will further illustrate the effect 

F/&J64-. 



/^ 


v 3 fain 


/J^N 


(p 


)) f °* 





\3 i 
5f 


'J 


v> C/ 

S0° 


" 


MV 


^^ /J//// z^ 



37a j 



3 i /din. 




Too, 




J3' 



54-< 



0/7 



ZHZ7 






Extensions : 




6.12m 



Dishof-nh= 3.78 ft. 
Dist.nf-on - 3.25ft. 
Dfff --= , .1-3 ft. 

or S.I 6 in. 
Average ■= 3.58 ft. 

Stride. - 1+.3I ft . 



of squared toes, longer heels, longer foot and various angles. Before 
arriving at the effective shoeings of Fig. 142-143 these shoeings were 
tried in the endeavor to eliminate the hop or rough gait of hind legs. 
Though erroneous as a remedy they will nevertheless illustrate the 
points now under consideration. 



2l6 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



In Fig. 165 appear two squared hind toes, the near shoe having 
the longer heels and both having calks. The activity and extension of 
the free near hind leg is intensified by the calks and the longer heels 
and the distance between extremities (2.56 ft.) is too small for the 
length and height of the animal. The gait was very faulty. 

HO.I66 
SI'/,' „ 



v — <->> 


^m 


7? /; I 






i 


/ 1 




O " Y _1 




Extensions ." 

/.14-inr ■ ■ xtn 






Dish 77 f- oh = 2.84- ft . 

Dist. of-nh= 2.27 ft . 

Diff. - .5/ ft. 

or 6.84- in \ 

Average = 2.56 ft. 

Stride. « 16.95 ft, 



■• — > 
55' 



54-' 



ZZM? 




Dishnf-oh - 3.58 //, 
j)ist. of-nh* JAQhh. 

Diff - .. ' 2 -* n 
or 3.36 in. 

.Average = f/tfi). 
5tri.de = .J6.z2.ft. 



Fig. 166 is another shoeing with near hind squared at toe and 
with greater length of toe (3^8 + ) and height of heel (55 ) than 
those of off hind (^y 2 in. and 54°). Hence near hind was really the 
longer leg and, with an easy leverage at the toe, was therefore more 



Experiments and their Verification 217 

readily extended forward. The swelled heels on both hind, how- 
ever, tended to increase the distance between extremities (3.44 ft.). 
An intermediate effect of squared toe on near hind, as compared 
with the two previous results, occurs, in Fig. 167. Here the squared toe 
checks the former greater extension of near hind with reference to the 
equally long off hind. The distance between the extremities (2.96 ft.) 

FIO.I67. 

3 s /a in 
12)) toeU/i 



so° 




55° 



K'-tf 




2.o* 



<T7P* 



'Disf.nf- oh = 2.98 ft. 

Dish of-nh = ZS3 ft. 
Dift = .OS ft. 

or .6 in ■. 

Average - 2.96 ft: 

Stride. = JSJSft. 

is greater than in Fig. 165 (2.56), but still less than in Fig. 166 (3.44). 
In Fig. 143-A this distance was also relatively small (2.88 ft.), but 
in Fig. 143-B it is increased to 3.59 ft., and the whole question of sep- 
arating the extremities reasonably to insure a free open reach in front 
hinged on the easier forward extension of the left fore leg. Not only 
was this effected by the increased extension of off hind, as in Fig. 
143-B, but also by the longer toe and lower heel (50 ) of that neac 



218 Gait of t lie American Trotter and Pacer 

fore foot; and though subsequently in .Fig. 142 (one month later) the 
final greater extension of the near fore and off hind, as effected there 
by angles and toe-lengths, was somewhat excessive, it was more in 
line with the requisite extensions for the turns of the track. It proved 
to produce a good regular trot. 

Again referring to Tigs. 145 and 146, we notice the extension of 
the off hind foot with the squared toe, and compared with the exten- 
sions of the previous shoeing of that gelding this squared toe checked 
the excessive previous extension which showed the remarkably faulty 
difference of 10.92 inches — the distance the off hind was carried ahead 
of near hind. This facilitated the movements of the near fore, which 
leg had a bad tendon. Checking the extension and increasing the 
elevation of the off hind by the squared toe and greater angle checks 
the near fore in a measure and the near hind of that gelding being 
also affected in the hock, we have the strange phenomenon of exces- 
sive extensions on the off side. Such a twist, one might say, to the 
movements of the legs cannot at any time augur any good, and it is 
wise to either discontinue training or devise more effective and yet 
safe means to bring the extensions into harmony and let at least the 
distance between the correlated feet be approximately the same. 

Reference is here made to a series of previous illustrations under 
Figs. 96, 99, 106, 109, in and 113, in which the off hind carries a 
shoe with longer heels. In both 96 and 99 the hind shoes remained 
the same, the shoeing of 96 following in reality that of 99. As the 
hind shoes were made and fitted by another shoer the accuracy of 
data given can not quite be depended on. On the other hand, the 
tendency at previous trials was a greater or excessive extension of the 
opposite or near hind leg, so that this habit may have remained for 
some time after. Such a remnant of previous conditions always pre- 
sents a disturbing element in subsequent shoeings. At any rate, the 
longer heels on off hind did not materially increase the extension of 
that leg, but in the subsequent shoeings, as illustrated in the remain- 
ing figures above alluded to, there appears a more decided influence 
of these long heels on the off hind shoe, namely, they increase, as a 
rule, the extension. Besides, the application of the so-called Memphis 



Experiments and their Verification 



219 



shoe in front, with its two bars straight across the shoe, was in itself 
a mistake for that subject, because it increased the elevation of the 
front action, which was naturally rather high. Elsewhere I have 
tried to show that excessive front elevation is likely to produce a low 
and more direct forward action of the hind feet in which any greater 
weight on the hind shoes will show by greater extension. In the 

Comparative, effects 




J2°(+i; 



51° SZ°(+\) S3 

Extensions 




3.6/ ff- Aver dish- 3.66 ft 
16 J 1 ft - Stride, - I6.l2.fr 

shoeings of Figs. 96 and 99 this effect can be noticed and will explain 
again the reaching forward of the near hind foot. 

In this connection let us compare the shoeings of Fig. 96 and of 
Fig. 106, the latter being, however, without toe-weights, and a sep- 
arate trial. The first half of Fig. 107 gives its results. I shall place 
them alongside of each other in Fig. 168 for a better survey of the 
matter in hand. The comparison is apt because the stride in each 



220 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

trial was about the same (16.11 ft. and 16.12 ft.). With the Mem- 
phis shoes and even angles at both extremities and the front toes j/g 
in. shorter than hind toes we have an average distance between the 
extremities of 3.61 ft., while with the modified shoe of only one 
crossbar near front toes, and with all feet at 3 in. toe-length, we have 
the same distance at 3.86 ft. The difference or the greater separation 
being, therefore, 25 ft. or 3 in. in the latter trial. Incidentally, I may 
remark that the Memphis shoe is not to be rejected because it did not 
suit this high-gaited mare. Other horses may be greatly benefited by 
it; but there is one objection to the shoe in any case and that is the 
difficulty to make it and the bending of the bars upward against the 
-ole of the foot. 

The difference of time between the trials was about 35 days. The 
principal change of extension is no doubt due to the change of front 
shoes and the shifting from off to near side in pointing forward with 
fore is due to the difference of angles and weights, the light shoe 
with lower angle preceding the heavier shoe with greater angle. The 
pointing of the fore influenced the hind action to some degree, so that 
near hind was set (back thereby ; but the difference between hind ex- 
tensions is but very slight (0.24 in.), and surely far less than it might 
have been if the increased weight and the full toe on near hind 
had been left out. As it is, and in spite of such conditions, the effect 
of longer heels on off hind is visible, even though part of its exten- 
sion is due to the influence of the near fore, or its diagonal and corre- 
lated mate. 

The remaining trials under Figs. 109, in and 113 followed that 
of Fig. 106, without toe-weights, where the extensions were given un- 
der Fig. 107. Coming under the head of "toe-weights" they were 
shown in order to understand the peculiarities of the subject used. 
We shall now recall the results with a view to analyzing the effects, 
especially the effect of the longer heels on off hind shoe. These three 
shoeings differ from Fig. 106 principally by the lower angle or heels 
of front feet and lighter weight of hind shoes. For easier compari- 
son the shoeings are grouped again in Fig. 169 and their extensions 
in Fig. 170. 



Experiments and their Verification 



221 



In speaking of these shoeings in the paragraph on toe-weights 
mention was made of the various effects produced by certain condi- 
tions. The best gait and the best speed were found to exist under 
conditions of B in both of these figures, and this was caused mainly 
by the greater length and reach of right hind leg. In this result the 




FIG. 1 69 




1.16'm. 



Aver. - 4.36 ft . 
Stride = 18.2+ ft. 



Aver.-- 4.13 ft. 
Stride = 15.88 ft . 




Aver. = 3.90 ft. 
5fr/de~/5.S9ft, 



FIG. 170 



longer heels of shoe played a good part, but at the time of the trials 
it was still puzzling to me how to stop the uneven extension behind. 
The weight on near hind was meant to increase extension, but at 
the same time the longer heels on off hind were supposed to check 
extension. Later investigations proved the latter idea to be an error, 



222 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

while the weight on hind was correctly placed. Therefore, in the trial 
of B, the longer off hind foot and its longer heels overcame the weight 
and lower angle of the near hind foot; while in C it did not succeed 
in doing so because of the longer near fore, which is checked by greater 
length of toe and greater angle as compared with off fore. This 
check causes a further reduction of the distance between fore and hind 
feet from 4.13 ft. to 3.90 ft. I may here remark that such a check to 
near fore is at all times dangerous and productive of injuries because, 
as before mentioned, the greater extension is naturally with the near 
fore on account of taking the turns. 

Again, in C the off fore, though lifted and helped by greater 
length of near fore, does not extend as much on that account because 
of its greater weight in shoe. The effect is therefore greater in ele- 
vation, but the lower angle should give it a chance to extend. All 
these combinations, though somewhat counteracting each other, can 
be said to have brought about the action and extension of the off fore. 
In A the angles of hind are practically the same, the swelled heels 
of near hind making up for lesser angle of the foot proper. With 
full toe of shoe the extension would naturally be slightly more; but 
whether swelled heels had any part in that other examples will make 
clear in a subsequent paragraph. The greater separation of fore and 
hind is no doubt due largely to lighter hind shoes, but in some 
measure also to the longer stride of 18.24 ft. The endeavor with the 
front shoes was principally in the direction of equalizing the exten- 
sion between the near and off, counteracting the weight necessary for 
the paddling off fore by a lower angle of that foot. 

We shall consider the subject whose last shoeing was given in 
Fig. 164 and once more see the effect of squared toes. 

The case considered from Fig. 161 to Fig. 164 inclusive was that 
of a peculiarly and rapidly gaited gelding. There was a preference 
for a near fore greater forward reach or extension — the foot with a 
dished toe and high heel — due, no doubt, in part to the paddling of off 
fore; and, furthermore, there was an over-reach of off hind foot 
which, on account of interference with off fore, was placed more or 
less inside of the latter. 



Experiments and their Verification 223 

Ordinarily, it is considered a sign of a "short stride," as it is 
erroneously called, when a hind foot is placed between the two fore 
feet ; that is to say, the extension of such a foot is considered to be 
deficient. In this case the reverse was true, for the off hind did actu- 
ally have a greater forward reach or extension than the near hind. 
Again. I would like to point out the necessity of exact measurements 
and of the averages derived therefrom, because on ordinary supposi- 
tions the off hind would have been considered a leg with a "shorter 
stride" or of a lesser extension. The fact that the reverse was true 
made the subject rather a hard case to handle and one not readily 
amenable to correction. 

The squared toe was considered a remedy in such cases and the 
few corrective shoeings here offered did in a way show what could 
be done in similar cases. The variety of changes in this as well as in 
other cases may remind the reader of the sensible rule in experiment- 
ing, namely, to vary only one thing at a time. But here, as in other 
cases, the expectations from every change were so great on the part 
of the persons interested that the array of conditions in the shoeing 
seems rather confusing. The reader being, however, somewhat famil- 
iar with the influences of such conditions, the main point at issue — 
squared toes— may, therefore, be dwelt upon with more emphasis. 

Here, then, is a case where rapid gait and deficient extensions 
caused a great deal of that disturbing motion in front which might be 
called "recovering," from the fact that one leg tries to make good what 
the other one loses in motion ; and, again, behind we have in conse- 
quence an attempt to get around the fore legs which manifests itself 
in hopping or shifting from one side to the other. 

The few illustrations here offered may show the effect of cor- 
rective shoeing, more or less, but the fact remains that the horse was 
a very hard case to get satisfactory results from. In Fig. 164 was 
given a showing under date of June 14, and under Figs. 171 and 172 
are now given the successive shoeings of the trials of July 6 and 
August 4. The main endeavor was to reduce the extension of the 
near fore and off hind to within reasonable limits by means of 
squared toes on shoes. 



224 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



We have in Fig. 171 still a greater forward reach of the off hind 
because the effect of the squared toe was partly nullified by the greater 
length of toe (334) than that of the near hind (3^), in spite of the 
latter's greater weight and lower angle. In front the squared toe and 
greater weight of near shoe restrain somewhat the extension of near 




T>1 

oh 



5Z° S4° 

swef/eol hee/s 



Fig. 17/. 



*WM//. 



^fflMmore swell 



Extensions : 

.71 in . 




of-nTi - 3.40 ii. 
7?f-o7i - 3.35 ft 
J)/ff. .OS//. 

or .6 inch . 
Auer. aft'st. = 3.38 ft 
Stride - J4-J2.fi . 



3'A/n. - foe -3.tyg in. 





3?/6 in .- fo^-\3ff6//j, 
9 1 





nh 
oh 



Swe//eo/ Aee/s 



more swe/l 






Extensions 



4.3i m. 



Fig. 17 Z 




fore and the slightly longer toe ( l /g in.) with higher heel of shoe (as 
per section) have the same tendency to check extension. The differ- 
ence between the distances of the correlated feet gives but 0.6 inch, 
which is negligible ; so that the gait and extension proved fairly satis- 
factory. In the variations from the average stride there was rather a 
strong effort of the off fore leg to make up for the greater reach of 



Experim ents a n d tJi eir Verificat io n 225 

near fore ; and behind, the off foot with the squared toe varied more, 
which means that in spite of its greater and habitual extension the 
off hind was not the stronger or more regular leg. Therefore, the 
primary effect of the squared toes thus applied to the pair of corre- 
lated legs whose extensions are excessive (nf-oh) would seem to 
show a restraint or check. 

In the next change of Fig. 172 the lengths of the toes in front are 
reversed and the angle of off fore lowered one degree. The object of 
a longer toe and lower angle or heel is to increase the pointing for- 
ward of off fore ; while the near fore not alone has a squared toe but 
a heavier shoe with a slightly thicker web. The angle of near fore 
is 50 as against that of 49° of off fore, and the front shoes are both 
alike in shape. In the previous trial this difference of angles was 
effected by the shape of near front shoe being slightly higher or 
thicker near heel. (See Fig. 171.) Behind there is quite a difference 
in toes, the near hind having %g inch more toe length. The angle 
of foot being the same on both hind, the near may be considered the 
longer leg on account of a longer toe and a correspondingly higher 
heel in consequence. This fact as against the squared toe and the 
shorter foot of the off hind brings about a result which, though it 
was corrective in extensions, was somewhat destructive of speed at 
that particular trial, as the short stride of 12.83 ft. will illustrate. A 
few days later, however, he showed good speed and balance, going a 
quarter easily in 35^2 seconds. It seemed as if the restraint put upon 
the excessive extension was modified by the ,growth of feet so that 
the result was pretty satisfactory ; but in order to show his reverting 
to the previous way of going the same conditions at the next shoeing 
were maintained absolutely as in Fig. 172, except that round toes in- 
stead of squared toes were used on the near fore and off hind. 

The resulting extensions are given in Fig. 173; and in order to 
show the directions of the four feet or their lateral extensions the 
actual distances from the median line are given in Fig. 174. Here, 
then, it is seen that a hind leg which is placed between the two fore 
must not necessarily be one that drags or whose extension is deficient. 
In this case, as in others, such a leg is too often active and causes 



226 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



more damage and a more uneven gait than if it were deficient in for- 
ward extension ; for, while such deficiency might be developed and 

Condi hons near/y the 
Same as in Fig. J 72 

3 '/^ m - foe, -3fo/n 
3 7 //6 m - foe -3 y+in . 



swelleo/ heels 



"<#W 



more on oFF . 

Extensions : 

t.9Zm\ 



of-nh- 3.73ft. 
nf-oh = 2.8$ ft. 
Diff = .90 ft. 

or J 0.8 in. 
//aerate = 3.33 f I. 
3/r/de --/4.27ft 




F/GJ7+". 

Lateral Extens/ons 
reduced. One hccl-f 



nTi 



1 



Z'A 



71 F 

1 



9<„ 



\+,< 



v 



oh 

i 

I 9/,o in 



/, 



of 






directed toward the outside, this inward and forward activity is hardly 
amenable to treatment. When the extension is restrained the better 



Experiments and their Verification 227 

placing of off hind foot is not helped thereby, and so it was and re- 
mained a matter of limited improvement, beyond which the old habits 
of gait again asserted themselves. The squaring of the two diagonal 
toes — near fore and off hind — may be said to be the solution of this 
problem. Disturbing elements entered even into these shoeings by 
faulty lengths of toes and angles, but the principle of the two squared 
toes seemed to be quite correct. For instance, the extensions of near 
fore and off hind were once nearly the same (0.78 ft. and 0.88 ft.), but 
there was an impact or beat on ground louder with the round toe feet 
than with the squared toe feet. This time beating or rhythm sounded 
like the movements of a lame horse, and it was no doubt due to the 
fact that the squared toes had a higher action and elevation than the 
feet with the round toes, which made the latter to reach the ground 
sooner than they should, causing thereby an irregular rhythm in the 
motion of the two pairs of correlated legs. Such irregularity, how- 
ever, could be , adjusted by shape of feet and greater weight of one 
shoe. 

Granting that, other things being equal, the squared toe shoe will 
cause an easier and quicker break-over of the foot in question, as well 
as a higher rather than a more extended action, it should be borne in 
mind, nevertheless, that when between two fore or two hind feet the 
conditions are otherwise unequal, such as a higher heel or a heavier 
shoe on either foot, there may result a slightly greater extension of 
the foot so shod. For instance, a higher heel with the squared toe 
shoe would diminish the ground surface or rather the length of the 
shoe, and would, therefore, shorten the contact with the ground of 
that shoe or that foot so shod. It will seem, therefore, that a foot 
shod thus differently from its opposite mate will have greater action 
than that other opposite mate ; that is to say, the action becomes easier 
because of that easier break-over due to the shorter length of shoe and 
foot. Any influence added to a foot so pared and shod will, therefore, 
be more readily visible, whether it be the diagonal influence of a hind 
foot or a toe-weight or heavier shoe on the fore foot so shod. An 
illustration to that effect may be found in Fig. 175. Here ABC 
represent a foot with an angle of perhaps 50 . Squaring the toe as 



228 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

at E and increasing the angle to 55", as at D, we have the foot A E D 
as against that of A B C. The dotted lines extended to M and N in- 
dicate the effect of the reduction of surface contact by means of 
the squared toe and the higher heel, and the line MN shows in an exag- 
gerated manner the evident tendency toward a shorter ground contact. 

Whatever may be the greater extension of a foot so shod, if any, 
it is primarily true that the elevation is greater in any event. What- 
ever time is gained by shorter contact with the ground is spent in 
action. High heels and squared toes are to a certain degree good 
preventives of strains, and the combination acts in a way like a rolling 
motion shoe, for it avoids the anchoring of the toe and quickens the 
leverage from the heel on account of the higher position of the lever 



F/Gr.. 



at the heel and of the shorter length of the lever itself from heel to 
toe. But at the same time we should not forget that the horse needs 
a sufficiently long contact with the ground to enable him to use the 
toe effectively in the effort of propulsion. In order to have that ef- 
fective leverage — neither too short nor too long — it will be necessary 
to regulate the action of the leg according to Eigs. 15 and 16, where 
an equal forward and backward extension was considered a primary 
condition of a gait without lost motion. 

All the various corrections by means of angle, length of foot, 
shape of shoe and other adjustments must have this primary condition 
always in view, and this condition must be followed in each case, 
however different the remedies for various faults. For, broadly con- 
sidered, no matter how differently gaited horses are in their manner 



Experiments and their Verification 229 

of going at the trot or the pace, the regularity of either gait can only 
be accomplished by such equal extensions. It may, therefore, be true, 
as heretofore mentioned, that every remedy does not apply to every 
horse, yet that does not mean that each horse is an absolute case by 
itself, but rather that each horse has peculiarities and faults whose 
corrections may be accomplished by always having in view this pri- 
mary condition of the equal extensions of all four legs. 

This condition, however, of equal extensions also applies to the 
averages of the measurements as exemplified in the various cases given, 
but mainly to the equal 'forward and backward swing of the legs or 
feet. The eye must, therefore, decide first whether the action has this 
regularity of motion, and the method offered to ascertain the gait as 
found on the ground must go hand in hand with that judgment of the 
eye ; but by the calculations of the + and — variations from average 
stride, as given on pages 140, 159, 188 and 195, we can also determine 
if there is such an equal swing of the leg. My observations and ex- 
periments tend to prove that these total positive and negative varia- 
tions indicate such forward and backward extensions ; and the more 
nearly equal these variations are, the more equal will be the forward 
and backward swings of that leg. A study of the variations hereto- 
fore given will make this more clear. 

The influence of a foot trimmed or shod as given in Fig. 175 be- 
came evident in the experiments of the last case given. The com- 
bination of a squared toe and a high heel appeared to have eventually 
an accelerating effect and with that over-active off hind leg, as in 
the last case, it proved to be not as effective a correction as anticipated. 

We have seen that hind shoes with squared toes and calks had 
a better effect to increase elevation and decrease extension than per- 
haps the squared toes with swelled heels had, which no doubt is due 
to the prompter check to motion which calks are apt to give. 

With the effect of shoeing under Fig. 173 carried over to the 
next shoeing we have in Fig. 176 the subsequent adjustment of shoes 
and the resulting extensions. The stride in both trials was practically 
the same (14.27 ft. and 14.23 ft.) Note the same off hind excessive 
extension. There was therefore, apparently, no difference between 



230 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



the round toes of Fig. 173 (near fore and off hind) and the squared 
toes of Fig. 176, except in degree. 

Comparing these two diagrams we find that the near fore with 



7,1 
I 3 in 



\ 



+.6 



m — roe- ~3 3 /8/n>j 
JO' 




11 
so 




N^ y/yy/i^L 



3 3 /sin . - The - N J '/+ \ 




s+° 




Sf-° 



straight — hee/s -Swelled, 
f+?scanKJ , S+ ° 

, £xtensi'ons : \ 

( Compear e fig 173 ) 

72 in . 



^2? 




of-nh= *zon. 

nf-oli = -3.26 ft. 
\X>/Tf. ~ .34- ft. 

or this in- 
fiver -= 3. 73 ft. 
Stride ~. /^.23fL 



F/0 . 777 

Lettered extensions 

r~ed.uoe.oL one hod f . 






J.3 



A 



■f 



fe 



1 

V 



2'/^/n 



toes /n 
2.6° 



the round toe extends 1.2 inch (1.92^-0.72) more than that with the 
squared toe, and the off hind with the round toe extends 0.48 inch 
(12.48 — 12.) more than that with the squared toe. The shoeing of 



Experiments and their Verification 231 

Figs. 173 and 176 is nearly the same in detail, except in angle of off 
fore, in weight on near side, and in shape of hind shoes as well as 
greater length of near hind in Fig. 173 or the previous shoeing. The 
separation of fore from hind feet, or the average distance between 
them, is greater in the last shoeing (3.73 ft.) by 4.8 in. over that of 

Fig. 173 (3-33 ^.) 

The stride in each trial was about the same: 14.27 ft. and 
14.23 ft., but the variations of both the fore and the hind legs from 
these average strides were much smaller in scope, or more regular, in 
the second trial (Fig. 176), and the reason for this greater regularity 
seems to lie in the fact that both the near fore and the off hind 
had squared toes, as in Fig. 172. This caused the higher action and 
the somewhat lesser extension of these two feet. Now, we find, in 
comparing the differences of the separations between the feet which 
move together, that in Fig. 176 these are both greater than in Fig. 
173; that is to say, the near fore and the off hind are separated 
more by 0.38 ft. (3.26 — 2.88) or 4.56 in., and the off fore and the near 
hind are separated more by 0.42 ft. (4.20 — 3.78) or 5.04 in. The sum 
total of these differences divided by 2 gives us 0.4 ft. or 4.8 in. as 
the difference between the average distances in both cases (3.73 — 3-33)- 

The main reason for this greater separation is undoubtedly due 
to the different adjustments on the near hind foot in these two 
trials. Tts shoe in Fig. 173 is set full at the toe and has swelled heels, 
while in Fig. 176 it is set even at the toe and has flat heels. Besides, 
the near hind foot in Fig. 173 is longer than in Fig. 176. All of 
these conditions would favor a greater forward extension of near 
hind in Fig. 173. My contention has always been that the influence 
of one such different adjustment on one foot will often cause an 
entire change of extension or of gait. Swelled heels without calks 
have their drawbacks, inasmuch as they are apt to slide and thereby 
increase the time of contact with the ground, which hinders the 
horse from having prompt and free movements. Again, they are 
also apt to increase the forward extension when used in conjunction 
with the squared toe. When the swelled heels are short, they are also 
aided in this forward extension by the somewhat 'easier break-over, 



232 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

due to the incline of the shoe from heels torward toe. They do not, 
therefore, form a part of a safe and suitable shoe ; but at the time 
of these shoeings I had an idea that their use would, in general, correct 
the hind forward extensions. In a following trial we shall have occa- 
sion to see, after a fashion, again the effect of a longer rather than 
a higher heel, even though the heels on both were swelled heels. 

Conditions in these two trials being, however, based on these 
swelled hind heels, the comparison between them may be considered 
a proper one, even though too many minor conditions or changes 
again figure in these trials. While in the previous trial (Fig. 173) 
the hind heels were somewhat different in their thickness, in the sub- 
sequent trial (Fig. 176) the near hind shoe was Hat, while the off- 
hind had squared toe and swelled heels. The near hind shoe was also 
heavier than before, which in reality increased the thickness of the 
web of that shoe. In spite of this, however, the extension of near 
hind did not exceed that of off hind. The reason for this seems to 
have been the easier break-over of the off hind, due to squared toe 
and swelled heels. This condition was discussed under Fig. 175. 
This distinct difference between the hind shoes and feet gives an 
idea of what counteracting effects we may have in our endeavors to 
get everything into harmonious motion. By the variations of the 
hind legs from the average strides the off hind showed in both trials — 
round toe and squared toe — an unsteadiness hard to account for, inas- 
much as it appeared to be the most active and the freest leg. It 
was certainly extended ahead of its opposite mate, the near hind, and 
was not dragged after it as is the case of so many unsteady and hop- 
ping horses ; nor could the near hind be pronounced a weak leg, be- 
cause it was reasonably steady as to its variations. 

In the trial of Fig. 176 the off hind varied quite a bit more from 
average stride, the totals of these variations above and below average 
being -f- 3.25 and — 2.60, while those of near hind were + 2.00 and 
— 2.16, the latter showing a pretty even swing of motion. Despite the 
fact, therefore, of the off hind pointing forward in excess and making 
the impression of a strong leg there is reason to believe that it really 
was unable, through some weakness of tendon or ligament, to extend 



Experiments and their Verification 2 33 

itself out behind, and its shifting to a position between the two fore 
legs was, therefore, a device of the horse to avoid interference. The 
mere fact of such position does not by itself argue any lack of for- 
ward extension, as is often taken for granted when the observation 
is made by the eye and not by actual measurements. 

It was noteworthy to observe on the ground the continual strik- 
ing and slipping of the heels of the off hind, particularly the outside 
heel, while the near hind showed at all the tracks a firm hold and a de- 
pression of the toe. This is the characteristic difference in signs be- 
tween a foot that extends too far forward and one that extends too 
far backward. The power of propulsion lies largely at the toe and, 
therefore, the ability of the near hind to shove the ground from un- 
der it, as it were, gives the off hind the excessive forward reach. In 
other words, the two hind legs perform extreme functions, which an 
even or regular gait requires them to share equally. 

Right here we might as well take into account the lateral exten- 
sion of the second trial, or the way the feet travel as viewed from 
behind and measured from the standard or median line in the middle 
between the sulky wheels. 

Fig. 174 gives the lateral extension of the previous trial and Fig. 
177 of the following one. By studying both of these results an idea 
may be obtained of the importance of the proper lines of motion and 
how these are disturbed by one such faulty leg as the off hind in this 
case. While the near side is not much affected, save, perhaps, in 
the nearness of the fore to the middle line, the off side presents the 
reverse of what it ought to be and of what the near side shows. Here 
the off hind, by its inward line of motion, compels the off fore to step 
outside of it, or rather both fore shift from the near to the off side. 
The toeing in of the off fore is due to faulty paring of hoof, although 
the foot has that inclination if left to itself. The next trial will dem- 
onstrate the remedy for that faulty direction of foot. 

Four weeks after the shoeing of the trial shown in the results of 
Fig. 176 this gelding was again shod with round toes on all four feet, 
as given in Fig. 178. Here we find the toe lengths of the fore feet 
the same, and that of the near hind longer by %6 inch than the 



234 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



other three. With equally swelled heels on hind, those of the near 
are %. inch longer than those of the off hind. In paring the feet the 
angle of near fore is increased while that of the off fore is diminished 

3 '8m 







zsminn? 



\qually swei/eat fieefc, 

Extensions : 



Fig. 178. 



1 


/ of-nh = 3.76 ft. 




/ nf-oTt = 3*3 ft. 




/ 2,'ff, - .33 ft. 




y or 3.96 in. 




| Jtoer. - 3.6 ft 


/ 




H h 


\ 


m\ / 





F/0. /7S_ 

Locteral extension of Fig. /73 
ve&ucecl one naif 



nh 
\3'/3in 



\« 



71 f 



1 



V 



s.s 



■/ 



~'/8s 



of 

T/.%//?. 



/3.7S 



one degree. Behind the angle of near foot is decreased to 52 . Front 
shoes are equalized each to 10 oz. and behind the difference in weight 
on near hind is also less, though off hind has one ounce more than in 



Experiments and their Verification 235 

Pig. 176. To counteract toeing in of off fore it is lowered on inside 
toe and given a slightly longer outside heel ; and the toeing out of the off 
hind is corrected by lowering of outside toe. 

The change to round toes was merely an idea for the sake of 
comparing result with squared toes, but it would have been better if 
certain other conditions, such as angles and weights, could have re- 
mained the same. It is the same old story of trying to do too much 
at once, although the object in view was evidently to (1) check the 
extension of the near fore to some degree, and (2) to cause the near 
hind to extend more. 

Set as the hind legs seem to be regarding each other's motions, 
the effort to bring forward the near hind affects the off hind indi- 
rectly so that the difference between the two is not as great as antici- 
pated. Again we see the impression of toe in the near hind tracks 
and that of heels in the off hind tracks ; also in front it was seen that 
the longer outside heel of the off fore had a retarding effect. It 
showed plainly at each track as having struck the ground harder than 
necessary. In both fore the toes showed a good toe impression, but 
those of the off fore were deeper and proved the greater backward 
extension of that foot. The longer heels of near hind no doubt had 
the effect heretofore discussed, namely, that of increased extension. 

Looking at the lateral extension averages in Fig. 179 we see the 
off hind in a worse position than before, being on the wrong side of 
the middle line and still between the two fore feet. Paring it as indi- 
cated had very likely something to do with the position. In the varia- 
tions from averages the off fore showed the greater activity over the 
near fore. It made the greater efforts, due, no doubt, to its lower angle 
and the influence of the near hind, which likewise varied more than 
off hind ; but, as before set forth, the variations of the hind legs 
seem to be different in their indications from those of fore, inasmuch 
as the greater variations from the average stride belong to the defi- 
cient leg, while with the fore the most active leg has the greater varia- 
tions from the average. Reaching out with the fore seems to indicate 
a desire for an increase of speed, while behind there is proof that the 
leg doing the least varying work is the best adapted for the propelling 



236 Gait of the American Trotter and P< 



acer 



power necessary for speed. The initiative in speed is sometimes 
taken by the fore, but the hind attend to most of the propulsion and 
for that reason more often start an increase of speed, while the fore 
more often put a check to speed. 

My notes of this trial show the first evidence of irregular time 
beats between the pairs of correlated feet; that is to say, the off fore 



'3'/'/^' toes 3 3 /? 




53° 54° 

"A more swell: 
[Extensions: 




F16J79A 




Ai/erage=3.54-fh 
Stride =l559rt.) 



less 




Fig. 1 80 



Of- /? A =• 3.39 fL 
nf-oh - 3 .36 ft. 
DifF. - -03 ft. 

oT.36in. 
Jlver. — 3.3S//-. 
Striate = f£.S9ft. 



and the near hind seemed to strike the ground harder than the other 
two feet. There was, so to speak, a premature fall of the off fore 
and the near hind. Shortly after discussing Fig. 174 mention was 
made of this peculiar limp in the rhythm of the trot. There seems to 
have been a gradual increase of this irregular rhythm, and in a sub- 



Experiments and their Verification 237 

sequent shoeing — Fig. 179- A — to which reference was made, and 
which again shows squared toes. on near fore and off hind, this limp 
between the two pairs of feet became still more evident to the ear. 

At the next and last trial of the. season my notes tell me that the 
gelding was going well (Fig.. 180), but that he was liable to interfere 
on off side and would break in consequence. The distances of corre- 
lated feet were practically the same (3.36 — 3.39), and the regularity 
of the trotting rhythm left nothing to be desired while the good 
action lasted and until interference took place. 

Mention has already been made of the danger of excessive ex- 
tension by one pair of diagonally opposite or correlated feet. Here 
is an instance where equality of distance between these fore and hind 
feet had been achieved, but with too great an extension of one pair, 
viz., the near fore and off hind. Now let us look at the shoeing. 

In Fig. 179-A the near fore is checked in forward extension by 
the roll and squared toe of the shoe, but again it is inclined toward 
extension by its foot being shorter (3^ in.) than that of off fore 
(3^ in.). For the latter acts as a stilt for the greater extension 
of its opposite mate. Again, the higher angle (52 ) was to correct 
the dished toe of the near fore as compared with the straight toe 
and lower angle of off fore; but in conjunction with the squared toe 
this greater angle seems to facilitate the break-over at toe. All in 
all, therefore, the greater forward extension of the near fore is 
almost a foregone conclusion, especially if we take into consideration 
the hind adjustment. Here we have, to begin with, the same weight 
in both shoes, but the longer toe on the near hind. Again, the higher 
angle and greater swell in heels of the off hind, together with the 
squared toe seems to entirely counteract the longer toe of near hind. 
The absence of greater weight in the near hind shoe does also not 
favor extension. We have, therefore, again everything in favor of a 
greater extension with the off hind, especially if we remember the 
habitual forward reach of that leg. There being such a habit, we need 
only recall the intimate relation existing between the feet that move 
together in order to understand the mutual influence of the near fore 
by the off hind. 



238 Ga:t of the American 1 rotter and Pacer 

My final experiment with this horse was, as mentioned before, 
that of Fig. 180. The difference in front weight was reversed and 
both angles lowered. The toe-lengths are the same. In both Figs. 
179-A and 180 the roll of near fore shoe is greater than that of off 
fore. With a heavier shoe very often goes a thicker web, so that in 
the former trial the near fore was perhaps as long a foot as the off 
fore ; while in Fig. 180 the off fore had a heavier and thicker shoe 
and hence greater length. Again, the heavier shoe on the off fore and 
its squared toe had the effect of increasing the folding of the leg and 
the elevation of that foot without increasing the extension. 

The average stride in each case was exactly the same: 15.59 ft- 
The average separation between the extremities in these trials were : 
3.54 ft. in Fig. 179-A, and 3.38 ft. in Fig. 180, which makes a differ- 
ence of .16 ft. or 1.92 in. In other words, there is a greater separa- 
tion where the squared toes occur diagonally across than where they 
are applied on the right side of horse. A glance at the total scope 
of the variations of the individual strides from the general average 
stride shows the greater disturbance in the second trial (Fig. 180). 
This proves that when the subject was allowed to follow his inclina- 
tion, as in Fig. 179-A, the movements were less forced. 

Let us look at the total scope of these variations in each case. We 
have: 

near-fore-off. near-hind-off. 

Fig. 179-A 6.56 ft. 5.02 ft. 6.69 ft. 4.39 ft. 
Fig. 180 9.00 " 5.71 " 6.40 " 6.05 " 

In marking these totals as "feet" it is intended to call the reader's 
attention once more to the meaning of such variations. These totals 
comprise the sum of all the differences which each leg showed in all 
of its strides from the general average. The smaller these variations 
are as a whole the more regular will be the motion of the animal. In 
their relation to each other we have already learned that a greater 
variation in front denotes the stronger leg and the greater varia- 
tion behind denotes the weaker leg; or, perhaps, it would be 
better to say that such a fore leg points forward more than its mate, 



Experiments and their Verification 239 

and that such a hind leg extends forward more easily than it points 
backward. In both these cases the near fore and the off hind act 
together in those excessive extensions. In the second trial we find the 
near fore a good deal more irregular, while both hind have approached 
to a closer equality of extension (6.40 — 6.05). 

This horse, therefore, had a limit to his improvement in speed. 
He lacked the harmony of motion that is absolutely necessary for sus- 
tained efforts ; but before the case is dismissed the lateral extensions 
of Fig. 180 should be examined as given in Fig. 181. They were aver- 
aged from 21 positions of each foot. The distances are given in 
inches as heretofore. 

Again we have the unsatisfactory inward placing of the off hind, 
the other feet being in good position. The off hind should be at least 
two inches on outside of the off fore, not only to correspond with the 

F/6. 18/ 

Lateral extensions of Fig. /SO 
reduceal one half . 



;1 



r>h n f 1 . ok of 

1 

/ 'A-/rr 



V.j*-V* i /£•*: 



/S.3 



other side, but also to conform to the general rule of lateral exten- 
sions for the trot. It is at times, on the stretch so measured, placed 
at distances, in inches, from the median line as follows: 1%, l %, 
1^4, 2%, y 2 , 4, 34 an d then -drops inside the line to — \]/\, — 1, — }i, 
and so forth, showing the unsteadiness of a foot in danger of inter- 
ference or actually interfering with the lateral fore foot. In studying 
the tracks laid out, as it were, before one's eyes, it may not always 
be expedient or possible to map them out as suggested, but it will be 
always advisable to go over them carefully and note anything ab- 
normal in the contact with the ground. When the surface is good and 
smooth and the soil is not of the slipping kind, such as a sandy one, 
one may rest assured that the irregularities of the impressions, occur- 
ring as they often do with one particular foot, stand for some indica- 
tion of a defect in action. For, as before asserted, the contact of the 



240 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

foot with the ground, in order to be of the greatest possible effective- 
ness, must be distinct, firm and light; in other words, it must not show 
any blurred outlines due to premature fall of the foot, or any hard 
concussion due to a wrong direction or an unbalanced condition of 
the foot, or, again, it should not show any sliding or slipping of any 
part of the shoe. Where any of these observations are made repeat- 
edly on one foot or more there is ample evidence of some disturbing 
cause, either amenable to treatment or due to structural faults beyond 
repair. At any rate, as "prima facie" evidence of a faulty gait such a 
close scrutiny of the tracks is much to be commended, even as a 
matter apart from any measurements and calculations at which many 
men may balk. 

In the ordinary course of events, and with a commendable wis- 
dom to avoid excessive toil, trainers are not apt to undertake the de- 
velopment of horses of deficient action and speed. Even with the 
horses of promise the education necessary for their appearance at 
the speed contests, or for their perfection as good roadsters, requires 
much close attention and labor. The inventiveness of the American 
mind forestalls drudgery, and it is ever intent on improvements along 
easy lines. But no one with an active mind and body can or should 
avoid the puzzles and perplexities of his vocation in life or the toil 
imposed upon him for the solution of such difficulties. Talent or 
aptitude for certain work is a man's real capital, but its income is in- 
creased only by the experience gathered through intelligent applica- 
tion and keen observation. 

It was really beyond my purpose to try the patience of the reader 
by presenting so many experiments of my own, but my efforts to show 
the possibility of correcting a faulty gait will, I hope, prove the neces- 
sity of exact knowledge of a gait before remedies are applied. Er- 
rors which I have made in the combination of changes can be avoided 
by fewer and more marked differences, so that the cases given will 
at least serve as examples of a possible improvement in locomotion. 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE ANGLE AND LENGTH OF FOOT, 



One of the main troubles of balancing a horse in motion lies in 
the ever growing hoof. Besides, the natural or rather often unnat- 
ural shape of it is in itself always an obstacle to success. The shoe 
can in a measure remedy the deficiencies, as has already been indi- 
cated, when a difference in size or shape between the fore feet or 
the hind feet appears. One of the most important and simple con- 
ditions of a good gait is a good foot on each leg and a close similarity, 
if not an exact equality, between the two fore and the two hind 
hoofs. 

During the various investigations given it was necessary to take 
for granted that the reader was familiar with David Roberge's theory 
of pointing. 

It will hardly be necessary to recall the various instances where 
the angle and the length of the foot were effective in producing the re- 
quired extension or its check, but we shall look into other cases 
nevertheless. From the lengthwise section of the foot, as given in 
Fig. 182, as well as from a few further illustrations, the reader may 
gather the importance of the apparently small details connected with 
the paring and trimming of the hoof. One lick of the rasp more or 
less can disturb the equilibrium of the foot or direct it as it should 
point to remedy a faulty motion. All this delicate work is largely 
dependent on the unquestioned skill of our intelligent farriers, who 
have made a study of this matter. 

It is in their hands, too, that a defective foot can be assisted by a 
shoe furnishing certain compensations required. I am not as anxious 
to advise these skilful mechanics as I am to give them indirectly a 
method whereby they can more readily understand what is wanted of 

241 



242 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



them. As it is, they are supposed to remedy what the trainer him- 
self cannot often explain to them. They are really overburdened with 
responsibility. 

While, therefore, many of the effects of the angle and the 
length of the foot were anticipated in the experiments given, the fur- 
ther demonstration of the facts and figures involved will not be amiss 
in point of argument. 

The terms "low toe" and "high toe" used by David Roberge are 
entirely misleading and erroneous in my opinion, for the toe can in 




si-£ 



T-4» 



Zenphwise Vertical Sechon of tfoof 



/0°^ 'tie inch 



reality be only long or short according to the distances along the 
frontal surface of hoof from coronet to tip or end of hoof. When 
the toe appears to be either "high" or "low" that difference and the 
various shades of it lie in the height of the heel, for it is the heel that 
determines the angle of the foot. The same toe may appear short 
with a high heel, as the foot L A R in Fig. 182 will indicate, and again, 
it may appear long with a low heel, as DA B will show. 

The term "length of toe" should, therefore, always be used in con- 
junction with the angle of the foot, or the height of the heel. In the 
illustration the toe A D is for all positions of the heel a fixed quan- 



The Angle and Length of Foot 243 

tity (33/2 in.), but we may reverse the order of things and shorten or 
lengthen the toe at A and retain the same heel at B. For instance, 
DEB would be an absolute shortening of the toe to 3^ i n -> and 
D F B an absolute lengthening of the toe to 3% inches. 

When both toe and heel are lengthened we may more appropri- 
ately speak of lengthening the whole foot. It is very often ex- 
tremely difficult to understand the meaning of giving a horse "longer 
toes," whether a longer toe with the same heel is meant as the re- 
quired change, or whether the toe and the heel are to be left longer. 
In the former case the angle becomes smaller (D F B is a smaller 
angle than DAB) and in the latter case the angle remains the same 
and the line of the sole would be parallel to A B from the lengthened 
point of toe at F to a point below B at heel ; in other words, the whole 
hoof would be lengthened. 

Mention is made of these terms because there is some confusion 
of ideas in regard to these matters. When the shape of the foot can 
be readily determined by the simple process of measuring the length 
of toe on the frontal surface of hoof and by determining the angle it 
makes with the heel, there is really no necessity of any confusion of 
terms. By taking notes we can always establish both conditions again 
at any subsequent shoeing; but to tell the shoer that a longer toe is 
wanted without taking into consideration the angle of the foot — that 
is, the height of the heel — leaves at all times a vast deal of uncertainty 
and doubt in the mind of a well-meaning shoer. These two terms, 
namely, length of toe and angle of foot, should suffice to indicate its 
shape and by them should all changes be designated. A pair of cali- 
pers or compasses and a hoof gauge should be in the possession of 
every trainer and should certainly form part of the tools of any re- 
liable shoer. However much skill of eye or of hand he may possess 
there is nowadays a demand for scientific exactness in the execution 
of details, which also holds true in regard to the shoeing of the trotter 
and the pacer. 

Even with the tools at hand to determine the length of toe and 
the angle of foot, the lateral balance, or the height of the quarters, is 
a task which must be left to the eye and the skill of the farrier. 



244 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

Knowing whether a horse points outwardly or inwardly, or whether 
he travels too closely, or whether his fore or hind feet land at equal 
distances from the middle or median line, will determine if the center 
of gravity of the animal moves in the plane dividing the horse length- 
wise into two equal halves. If from the results of the lateral measure- 
ments there is, as we have seen, a habitual tilting of the body to one 
side and the feet land at unequal distances from the median line, there 
is generally something the matter with the lateral balance of the 
foot. Knowledge of such facts will, therefore, enable the shoer to 
adjust the lateral balance to remedy the fault, even if such raising or 
lowering of one side or the other of the foot may not satisfy the eye ; 
for, lateral balance, as well as the whole question of shoeing and 
trimming the foot, is in most cases one of compensations rather than 
of ideal conditions. 

To have simple and exact terms in describing the conditions of a 
hoof is of great importance, and instead of calling LAB (Fig. 182) 
a foot with a "high toe" or otherwise, let us take into account the only 
two rational conditions possible, namely, that LAB designates a foot 
with a toe length of 3^ in. and an angle of 6o°, or D A B is a foot 
with a toe length of 3^ in. and an angle of 50 . 

If with the heel fixed at B we shorten the toe to the point E, 
we have an angle D E B of 52 , or if we lengthen the toe to F we 
have an angle D F B of 48 °. Again, if the toe remains at A and we 
leave the grown heel at P, or apply a shoe to raise it that much, we 
have an angle D A P of 55 . In all these cases, therefore, we have 
simply to account for the length of toe and for the angle of its 
frontal line with the sole to establish the same conditions at any sub- 
sequent shoeing. We do not have to guess to get it "about right," 
but know exactly what it should be from the results of the same con- 
ditions prevailing before. 

The reader should make himself familiar with the three principles 
of Roberge regarding the trimming of the foot. On pages 78 to 8d 
of his book he describes very ably the leveling, the symmetry and 
the balance of the foot, and gives the good advice "to remove horse- 
shoeing from the domain of empiricism and place it in the region of 



The Angle cmd Length of Foot 245 

science and art where it ought to be." What is empiricism but a set 
practice based on each man's limited experience, a practice often 
founded on erroneous suppositions and an experience gathered from 
inexact observations ! 

By balance he means "the perfect adjustment of the shoe in the 
fore and aft direction," and he should have included in that statement 
the very thing which Fig. 182 illustrates, namely, the toe length and 
the angle of the foot. 

Leveling to the "white line," a proper horizontal surface of sole 
from side to side and finally the requisite toe and heel — these are the 
three important principles of paring the foot. On these are based the 
averages of the measurements given by me, since they form the safest 
indications of balance, or the lack of it. 

It should at all times be remembered that balance is not a fixed 
quantity, but exists absolutely for a short time only. The growing 
foot and the wear of the shoe soon make of it a questionable condi- 
tion more likely to cause disturbances rather than improvements. 

It has come under my observation quite frequently that hoofs de- 
velop or grow unequally, not only with regard to each other, but also 
with regard to the growth at the toe and at the heel. It is easy to find 
this out if the calipers and the hoof gauge are applied to the hoof 
immediately after the shoe has been taken off and the data of its toe 
length and its angle be compared with the data of the last shoeing, 
or the exact condition of the foot before the shoe was put on. It is 
well worth while to make these comparisons, as they enable us to allow 
for such a difference of growth and to be on the lookout for re- 
sulting irregularities of gait. 

Reference is here made to the case discussed under Figs. 131, 132 
and 133, where the near hind foot showed an angle of 52 while the 
off hind measured 55 °. While the off hind looked like a club foot at 
first on account of its steep angle, it did not prove to be one. It was 
simply a case where the work had been done by the eye instead of by 
the gauge. 

Other similar cases where no care had been used came under my 



246 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

notice and there was an immediate improvement in gait once the cause 
of the previous uneven motion had been removed. 

As to the relative merits of long toes or of high heels, it is a 
matter often of choice rather than of judgment. This was discussed 
elsewhere but will bear repetition. I prefer at all times a reasonably 
short foot and like to have the horse, as it were, close to the ground. 
Besides defending the merits of such a condition I feel about it as I 
do about long fingernails on human beings, for one with long nails is 
not apt to be a person able or willing to take hold of things. Such a 
person may be good to look at and even intellectual and perhaps also 
"speedy," but will hardly be able to stand the strain of a hard contest 
in the race of life. 

The toe of the horse, no doubt, has its important function in pro- 
pulsion, as can be witnessed on the ground, but as for its adding dis- 
tance to the stride or taking off seconds from the mile, there seems to 
be an opportunity for the traditional Doubting Thomas to assert him- 
self by a shake of his head. The added strain to the leverage from 
heel to toe, due to an unusually long toe, will undo the advantage gained 
as claimed. Of course, we might argue that a long toe with a higher 
heel lessens the leverage and moreover lengthens the whole leg, and 
by that means the distance covered in a certain unit of time will be 
greater and the speed therefore increased ; but, again, I doubt if a man 
on stilts could beat a man running on foot at any fair distance. Be- 
sides, the very fact that Nature sheds all superfluous horn of the hoof 
.and danger of disease lurks in long hoofs should be a caution to the 
adherent of long feet. 

The heels have at times a better reason to be high to counteract a, 
strain, for instance, on the fore legs, such as swelled ligaments, or 
tendons ; and it must be left to the trainer to take such temporary or 
permanent measures to alleviate such conditions. 

As is well known, the toes of the fore feet may be a trifle longer 
than those of the hind, and again, the angle of the fore feet is naturally 
lower than that of the hind. This is based on the proper separation of. 
the extremities such as is required for a good gait. Very many 
trotters shove back their fore legs too far and put forward their hind 



The Angle and Length of Foot 247 

legs excessively, so that not only interference but also a defective gait 
is the result. It cannot be expected to fix any definite angle for either 
fore or hind feet ; but as a rule the frontal line of hoof should form a 
continuation of the direction of the pastern joint. The extreme 
range might be given as being from 45 to 55 for the fore and from 
50 to 60 ° for the hind feet. 

Fig. 182 will give the reader an accurate idea of the sections of 
the feet with' these various angles. If it is considered desirable to re- 
tain a certain height of heel, or if it is impossible to reduce the heel, 
corresponding changes in« the toe will bring about the angle of the 
foot best adapted to the horse. 

Lateral balance or "symmetry," as Roberge calls the leveling of 
the foot from one quarter to the opposite quarter, concerns the direct 
lines of motion of the feet and my method of analyzing it by means 
of drawing a while cord midway between the sulky wheels and referring 
to it every track with regard to its distance from it and the inward or 
outward angle it makes with reference to this median line, have all 
been discussed before, but its importance may demand some more 
attention. 

Whenever it seems necessary to lengthen one leg more than the 
other the toe is lengthened that much, but the angle is kept the same, 
for in that case the sole line A B will be let down, so to speak, for a 
certain distance all the way from toe to heel, which makes it parallel 
to the former sole line A B ; but while the angle remains the same 
the heel is of course raised also, so that with both toe and heel raised 
we have a longer leg. Moving the line A B down and parallel to its 
former position will therefore lengthen the whole foot, as it should be 
when so wanted. 

Experiments have proved the rule given heretofore and applicable 
to most cases, namely, that the longer foot of the two fore feet will 
act as a lever for the shorter one and will therefore not extend as 
much as the latter ; and, a^ain, that of the two hind feet the longer foot 
will extend farther than the shorter one. Whether we speak of a longer 
foot or a longer leg does not matter, the effect being the same ; and 
so it may happen that a shorter extension, or as it is erroneously called 



248 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

a "shorter stride," may have for its cause these differences of actual 
length of leg. All this would have to be ascertained by trials and ex- 
periments to that effect. As a rule it is far more dangerous to have 
an inequality in front than behind on account of the stiffness of the 
front articulation, and this is especially true of the near fore with its 
choice of extension around the turns, as we have seen before. Here 
the jar of a longer foot may bring about a sprain of the ligaments and 
tendons. Behind, with the looser motions of quarters this danger of 
injury does not obtain so much. If there is such an inequality it is 
likely to be alleviated by a hop, so often seen in badly gaited horses. 
A curb or a spavin is, however, likely to appear when the forward ex- 
tension is either too great as a whole or excessive in one hind leg only, 
especially when the lateral balance of the foot is also faulty. 

A.- Fl0l83 B .- 

> 
3 'A 







j 4 




o- 



/6.06 ft. /5.60 ft. 

Jlver. c/ist . co ?■ re/ feet / 

+.04- ft. 4-ft^ 

Now, let us look at a few more examples to illustrate once more 
the effect of the various relations between toe length and angle of the 
foot. 

Let us take, for instance, a case where the changes were only in 
angles of fore and hind, as in Fig. 183. The toes remain the same in 
length, while the heels, both in front and behind, are lowered one de- 
gree in B, as compared with A. The front shoes in B are beveled on 
outside half to prevent knee-hitting, or toeing out, and the outside heels 
of hind shoes are longer to induce hind feet to toe out more. We shall, 
see, incidentally, that the fact of outside heels being longer does not 
cause the feet to spread more apart in this instance. The stride in A is 



The Angle and Length of Foot 249 

$y 2 inches greater than in B, and yet the distance between fore and 
hind is practically the same in both. We have found, however, that 
the distance between the extremities generally increases somewhat 
with the longer stride. 

The subject was a two-year-old colt by Zombro 2:1154, a son of 
McKinney, and had a good square gait. His fault in front lay in ex- 
cessive outward angles and consequent brushing of knees, and further- 
more a deficient forward extension of hind legs. On that account the 
front shoes were beveled for an easier break-over outwardly, with the 
results as given in Fig. 184. The feet were also pared as indicated to 
conform to the rules of pointing. 

The tracks showed concussions of outside heels in both front feet, 
but more so with the right fore, and behind both heels of the near hind 



h 



nh 

u 


N 


77/"- 


FIG 

■reciuceoi 

A. 


184- 

one ha2f '. 
of 






O 


It'/J 


T /•*/*/ 


n 




\ /in. 




'3% 


■ 


t* 




V 






/S. 7S ° 




\3.7S 


•/ 


^3?, 6/n 


t- 


m . 


B. 


u 


Z in . 


fi 


l^n 


"> -1 


\2J° 


V 






A+. 


fc 





and outside heel of the off hind left too hard a contact on ground to 
be favorable to a good gait. There was, however, this difference be- 
tween A and B : in A the inside heel used to strike the ground first and 
cause foot to twist or toe inwardly, while in B, with the longer and 
turned outside heels of both hind shoes, the contact was even with both 
heels on the near hind and it left no particular heel concussions of the 
off hind. In reality, the off hind was suitably shod while the forced out- 
ward angle (from o° to 2.1 °) of near hind told its story by increased 
concussions of both heels. There was in B a greater forward extension 
with near hind (1% inch), which may have been caused by the horse 
trying to avoid a shock. At any rate, the difference was negligible, as 
the diagonally opposite off fore also extended slightly ahead of the 
near fore (J/£ in.) It is not evident, however, that the outside longer 



250 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

heels of hind causd a greater spreading of hind legs, but they must be 
held responsible, more or less, for the distance between extremities (B 14 
ft.) being about the same as in the previous trial (A -.4.04 ft), in spite of 
the lower angle (53°), whose effect on extension these heels somewhat 
nullified. In addition to this the lower angle in front (B) had the effect 
of extending the fore legs, and this lower angle is itself more effective 
than the lower angle of hind feet. The front feet, as a rule, respond 
more readily to a smaller change in angle than do the hind feet, 
which no doubt is due to the greater rigidity of the fore quarter. 

It may be well to state here that the variations from the average 
stride were less in B than they were in A, proving that the gait in the 
second shoeing was more adapted to the horse. I have always found 
that if the variations of all four legs were nearly even in extent and 
small in compass the gait of the animal was fairly regular and square. 
Merely as a side information these variations show the regularity or 
irregularity of motion. 

As mentioned, this colt had a peculiar lack of forward extension 
of hind feet and his toes were dug into the ground a good deal. A 
long toe behind increased such a fault. His backward extension with 
hind legs was marked, but the lack of elevation, or rather the absence 
of the power to suspend his toes and thus make the forward reach of 
the hind count as well, made his backward extension void, and moreover 
put a severe strain on the muscles of his back and loins. Continuing 
through all trials with the same adjustment of the fore feet, but put- 
ting on a 10 oz. shoe instead of an 8 oz., the various changes behind 
proved that where such a serious fault of extension exists, due to 
some weakness in ligaments or tendons or muscles, the easiest adjust- 
ment is the best. Great sustained speed, however, cannot be expected 
in any such case. Our first duty is always to remove the cause of the 
visible concussions on the ground, for these cannot, in any event, be 
conducive to either speed or good, easy action. 

Longer toes of 3^ inches on both hind increased the distance be- 
tween the extremities in one instance to 4.76 feet and in another to 
4.88 feet, with strides respectively of 16.54 feet and 16.61 feet, the 
angle being 53 ° in the first and 52 in the second instance. Shortening 



The Angle and Length of Foot 251 

the toes again to 3^ inches, or as much as could be taken off, and in- 
creasing the weight of hind shoes to 8 oz. and squaring the toes of 
same, gave better results. The angles were lowered to 52 and even 
51 °, with slightly swelled heels in shoes. This adjustment tended to 
increase the hock action and to keep hind feet lifted somewhat more 
at the toe till the heels struck the ground. There was a closer approach 
of extremities in one trial with a stride of 15.80 feet, this distance 
being 3.85 feet, and very nearly alike for both diagonal distances 
(3.83 feet and 3.87 feet). 

While we have seen that a longer toe by itself increases extension, 
in this case it aggravated the trouble of dubbing it in the ground, due 
to some weakness of suspension ; and it became necessary through a 
heavier shoe, a shorter foot and a squared toe on shoe, to increase the 
elevation in order to obviate to some degree the stopping of extension 
by a digging toe. With no calks on heels of shoes, but a smooth and 
slightly swelted web, the forward extension was not visibly checked or 
converted into merely a higher action, but it was allowed to proceed as 
far forward as possible after the squared and shorter toe had given it 
enough elevation to overcome the sluggish suspension of the toe. In 
both the last two trials the variations of the strides of each leg from 
the average stride were much greater, of course, than when the animal 
was permitted to indulge in his abnormal backward extension. In 
fact, in one trial the tracks behind showed two marks of the shoe on 
ground, as if the first contact was corrected by the second and closely 
following one. This double impact by the posterior half of foot showed 
that the horse was incapable of controlling his toe suspension as soon 
as the foot got near the ground. Since the heel, as a rule, makes the 
first contact with the ground the weakness which prevents such a con- 
tact was therefore a serious set-back to speed and action, but it was 
overcome to a certain degree in the above described manner. 

The lateral extensions being at nearly every trial quite satisfactory 
I present the averages of the trial with the nearest approach of ex- 
tremities (3.85 feet) in Fig. 185. Being a good trotter it is worth 
while to note the lines of motion as here given. 

The following three shoeings and trials of a colt by Directum, 



252 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

previously discussed, will further show the effect of shorter and longer 
toes, or the difference in angle. The subject had been subjected to a 
few preliminary trials during the fall of the previous year. He was a 
resolute trotter and had been trained, but had been given up on account 
of weak hind ankles. When he came under my notice this trouble was 
not very visible and though he was not trained severely he formed 
a good subject for an improvement of gait. He hopped a good deal 
behind in the previous fall, but gradually improved and was a fairly 
good piece of mechanism, as he went on during the time of these trials, 
which covered a period of two months. 

We start with an even shoeing, as given in Fig. 186. Front shoes 
are beveled on outside again to guard against knee-hitting. He had 
too large an outward angle of the fore feet, particularly the off fore 
(io°) the near fore being less (6°). Behind, the heels had been 

no. jss. 

reduced onehodf 
1 

rih nf ! of: oh 



v\ 



\i.9* \s.s° '+.+ * 4.+ ° 



"eased" so as to avoid any sudden arrest of motion or shock by high 
or calked heels. The rolling motion shoe on hind, with forward and 
backward level, was intended to prevent any shock to hind ankles. 
The effect of these shoes in Figs. 187 and 188 was to increase exten- 
sion of the hind slightly over that of the fore, this being 0.42 inch in 
the second trial and about 0.96 inch in the last trial. 

In the first trial (Fig. 186) the hind shoes were plain and straight 
and no such difference of extension between hind and fore existed. 
Of course, the length of toes had also something to do with this fact. 
It rarely happens that either extremity exceeds the other in the strides 
by a fraction of an inch, but when it does occur there is likely to be 
some faulty extension. In this case we may disregard the weakness 
of hind ankles and their tendency to forward extension and we may 
simply consider the influence of the length of toe and the angle, which 
is our object in view. 



The Angle and Length of Foot 



253 



The first trial under equal conditions between fore and hind feet 
produced unsatisfactory results. The subject was not at ease, he 
hopped and shifted and recovered and the variations of the strides of 
each leg were great in extent because of this lack of balance. 

Retaining the same angles in the second trial (Fig. 187) we length- 
en the near fore and the near hind on the supposition that a longer fore 

3 %jn - toes - 3. '/4-//1 




49° 




Z'Ain 
8)\ toe, 

S4° 





£ x tens/ o ns :' 



2.82 /n. 



3 7 //6 in. -toes - 3%6 /n 
54- 





FIG. 186. 



of -nli = 4.04- ft. 
nf-oh = 3.68ft. 
Ditf. = .36 ft. 

or 4.32 in. 
Stride. = /5:8 ft. 
Diit. = 3.87 ft . 

7.56 in. 
2.81 in 
4.74- in. 
4.31/ n. 
Diff= .+2i/T.i 



Ex.fe,rL3/'on<5 : 



/.56/n. 



3tn 




F/Cr. 187. 



Of- 77% = 315 ft. 
Tif-oli = 3.63 ft. 
Diff. = J 2 ft. 

or /.44 in 
Stride = /6.62 ft.-. 
D /St. = 3.69 ft 



foot will stop extension and a longer nind foot will increase it. That 
is borne out by the resulting extensions of Fig. 187. It is also apparent 
that by these changes in toe lengths the distance between fore and hind 
feet has been decreased from 3.87 feet to 3.69 feet, or 2.16 inches, de- 
spite the fact of a greater stride (16.62 feet), which generally causes 
a somewhat greater separation. 

By still further increasing the conditions that helped to bring about 



254 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



the change we now come to the last shoeing of Fig. 188. Here the 
near fore is stopped still more by a slightly steeper angle and the near 
hind is modified in its adjustment by a lower angle and a heavier shoe ; 
and the off hind by a difference in toe length of Vie inch, this being 
a little more than in Fig. 187 (3^6:3^0). 

The results speak for themselves -in the average extensions of the 
four feet and the distances between the diagonal pairs. Through in- 

3h/n- ~£oe.s -3'/4-/n 




12 




^ ^ 




Fie. 189, 



Wei thicker on 
ne.a.-r 

Extensions : 



FIG. 188. 



of-nh = 3.5/ Ft 
nf-oh = 3±±Ft 
D/FF = .07 ft 

or. 8^ in 
-Stride. = 15.5 ft 
Dist = 3*8 ft 

+.01 in 

2. 81 in 

t.20 in 
• 84 //? 

.J 6 in. greater s- 
extension of hind. \ 





nf-oh =3.S6ft. 
oF- nh =• 3.S4-H. 
Biff. = .o2fr. 

or .24- in. 
5/rioie =- I4.il ft. 
Hist. = $.S5ft. 



2.82 in 



creased length of off hind, the forward reach of that leg was also in- 
creased, while through the greater angle the reach of near fore was 
also checked, so that we have a greater approach between these two 
feet (3.44 feet). Again, the increased reach of near hind also re- 
duces the distance between it and the off fore, so that there also we. 
have a closer approach (3.51 feet), giving us a smaller general aver- 
age distance of only 3.48 feet as compared with 3.69 feet of Fig. 187. 



The A ngle and Length of Foot 255 

In the last trial we have again an increased stride of the hind over 
fore by 0.36 inch, due no doubt to the condition of hind ankles, or 
their habitual forward reach to avoid a shock. As mentioned before, 
it is quite uncommon to have this occur, and when it reappears it points 
to some weakness in the subject's mechanism, or to an abnormal atti- 
tude, or to a tendency to hop and run with hind legs. Such a difference 
is, however, only temporary if the animal continues to trot squarely. 

The animal was trotting pretty well and of the three trials that of 
Fig. 187 seems to have been the one showing the best movements. In 
it also is found the least extent in the total variations of the individual 
strides from the general average, while in Fig. 188 these variations are 
increased slightly, but are not so abnormal as in Fig. 186. Excessive' 
variations mean that the efforts at each stride are forced and labored, 
due to some inadequate or deficient balancing. Whether as a temporary 
or permanent adjustment, the inequalities in angles or lengths of toe, 
or in the shape and weight of shoes, will often correct the natural or 
acquired defects of locomotion. Forcing the subject when going badly 
in the hope of training him out of defects is not a method worthy of 
imitation because of its crudeness and unreasonableness. A proper in- 
vestigation of such a gait avoids much loss of time and much 
aggravation. 

As before mentioned, most of these experiments were made on a 
slightly downhill course, and I deem it to be a good test for proper 
balance to have the animal tried on such an incline. Let us take, for 
instance, the last trial which was trotted uphill by this Directum colt. 
He moved resolutely and seemed to be going a little better. Fig. 189 
will show the extensions. The stride (14.81 feet) was shorter and the 
distance between the extremities greater (3.55) by 0.84 inch than in 
trial of Fig. 188 (3.48) ; and again, the hind legs showed the same 
slightly greater stride than the fore by 0.36 inch. It will also be seen 
that the extensions were the reverse of those of Fig. 188 and similar 
to those of Fig. 187, but more uniform than the latter. All in all, 
therefore, the two ways of going are worth comparing and may lead 
at times to suggestions for a change in shoeing. I will not go so far 
as to advise such double trials in each case, but where a horse proves 



256 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



to be better gaited uphill than downhill it may help to solve the problem 
of balance by ascertaining the facts of such a better locomotion. In a 
later chapter this will become more evident. 

A filly by Sidney Dillon may serve as a further illustration of a 
change in angles and toe-lengths. Fig. 190 will give two consecutive 
shoeings about a month apart. From equal conditions in A we change 
in B the toe-lengths in front to ^H inches and the angles from 49 ° to 

Ft 0.190 

FI6.I9L 

3%,'n - -£oe -3*/8i'n 





Exfens/ons : 

2.8Zin, 



OT 



Str/'oLe, 




= /3.26 ft 


J)/<sf. 




= 2.69 ft. 


V /0 ' 


62, 


in . 


of- nh 


_• 


2.77 ft. 


nf- oh 


51- 


2.12 *t :, 


D/'ff. 


= 


.65 ft. 


07- 


7.8 /n. 



he.e/s shorter than in A 
Stride = 'SO 2 -ft 
D/St of r~e.ec = 3 . / 2 -ft . 



50°, and also increase the weight of the shoes. The shape of the front 
shoes is also slightly altered and a crease at the toe is intended to pre- 
vent slipping, such as showed on the ground of the trial of A. 

Now, this longer toe and higher heel, together with the greater 
weight of shoe, checked in every way the forward extension of the fore 
legs. They acted, as it were, like a pair of stilts. A lower heel by itself 
might have increased their forward extension. Again, the higher heels 



The Angle and Length of Foot 257 

or greater angle behind, together with the swelled heels of shoe, were 
intended to check the forward extension of the hind and to increase 
their elevation of action; but the heels of shoes in "B" being much 
shorter than those in "A", the forward extension of hind was not 
checked as much as expected, because such shorter heels gave the foot a 
chance to reach farther before striking the ground. Hence, there ap- 
pears again a reverse extension behind which was found to be the 
filly's habitual and faulty extension under Fig. 150-155. We also find, 
in consequence of these two results, that the average distance between 
the extremities is about the same in both "A" and "B" (3.1 1-3. 12), 
while we would expect a greater separation with the longer stride of 
"B" (15.02) than with the shorter stride of "A" (13.5). The principal 
cause of this approach of the extremities was the checked extension of 
the fore, and this also tended toward an increase of hind extension. 
This case, like many others, proved to me the necessity of finding the 
faults of the locomotion of a horse in order to get nearer a proper 
balance. The main purpose of this shoeing was to bring about a more 
evenly distributed action between the fore and hind legs, and the result 
in gait, though deficient in the respective extensions, showed the action 
to be so. The case was discussed under Figs. 150-155 in the previous 
chapter, and we saw in the last trial there that the heel calks, squared 
toes and heavier shoes on the hind feet caused the latter to attain a 
greater elevation and an action more in unison with that of the fore. 
The reader is now referred to Fig. 132 in a previous chapter where 
calks appeared on the web of the front shoes near the heels and also 
at the heels of the hind shoes. The stride was 14.01 feet and the aver- 
age distance between the extremities was 3.32 feet. The subsequent 
shoeing of that subject, just three weeks later, is seen in Fig. 191. 
Here we have the extension of the fore released from the check of the 
heel calks, and so likewise the hind, which latter have beveled heels in- 
stead of calks. By such a radical change the habit of excessive hind for- 
ward extension was readily assumed again by the subject, as the dia- 
gram will exemplify. It proves, again, that a gait should be thoroughly 
looked into before we can have any idea how a proper balance can be 
accomplished, and also that such an investigation will always enable us 



258 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

to recognize more clearly and quickly the possible remedy for faulty 
gaits. 

There is in Fig. 191 a decrease in angle of off hind which, with the 
heavier shoe, is responsible for its extension over that of the near hind. 
In front we have simply a longer toe on near fore, which, with the same 
angle, checks the extension of that longer foot, but the evidence of 
that check is lacking because of the excessive extension of the off hind. 
It is sometimes a little confusing to have an excessive extension of one 
hind leg influence its correlated fore leg, as in this case. Here we have 
two hind legs with indifferent action and with that tendency to poke 
forward just above the ground, and while in the former trial under 
Fig. 132 the calks on hind shoes prevented too great an extension, the 
present shoes with beveled heels encourage it. We have now an 
abnormal approach of fore and hind feet (2.69 feet). The forward 
reach of the off hind has its origin also more or less in a weak ankle, 
but, as I said, the extension is so abnormal (10.62 inches) that its in- 
fluence is felt on the near fore, in spite of that foot being made longer 
to check it ; yet the near fore is comparatively little in advance of the off 
fore, when we consider the inequality behind. 

Mention should here be made of an observation which was already 
alluded to under Fig. 175, namely, that a shorter toe with a higher 
heel or greater angle of foot has not, as it would seem, the double re- 
straint on extension, such as each of these conditions effects, but 
rather has often a decided increase of extension as a result. Reference 
is made to a case under Figs. 145, 146, 147 and 148, where a squared 
toe was changed to a round toe to check extension of the foot with the 
squared toe; and also to Figs. 164 and 166, where erroneously the 
squared toe and higher angle, together with the longer toe, was the 
adjustment of the hind foot which had been found to be of greater ex- 
tension before. 

The effect of a higher heel is an increased pointing back or an 
earlier contact with the ground than a lower heel would have. This is 
based on the facts as photography has revealed them, namely, that the 
heel of the foot lands on the ground before the toe. Now, with a 
shorter toe (or as in Fig. 175, with a squared toe) than the opposite 



The A ngle and Length of Foot 259 

foot the leverage from heel to toe will not be as great, and hence it may 
happen that the action will be quicker and more elevated. The greater 
ease with which such a foot is hurled up may then induce it to reach 
forward more. Besides, because such a foot has not, by the nature of 
its shape, the ability to take hold of the ground with the toe as the foot 
with the longer toe, it follows that the propulsion is left more or less 
to the foot with longer toe and the lower heel. It is always, therefore, 
a characteristic of the foot that stays behind its opposite mate to leave 
a deeper toe impression on the ground than the foot that travels ahead 
of it. 

A case of such a hind propulsion was given under Fig. 176, the 
off hind having a squared toe and swelled heel shoe and a shorter toe, 
which was corrected in the shoeing of Fig. 178. The near hind at 
every foot print left a deep toe mark, showing it to be the foot whose 
slower leverage from heel to toe compelled it to attend to all the propul- 
sion behind, while the off foot hopped and extended forward exces- 
sively. It is, therefore, always advisable to equalize this leverage at toe 
by studying not only the difference of extension, but also the toe im- 
prints of each foot. If it is necessary to make a difference between the 
adjustment of two opposite feet it should be effected first by the differ- 
ence of the lengths of toes and angles of the feet before the difference 
in the shape of the shoe is considered. 

While all cases are amenable to certain principles which I have 
tried to expound, each individual horse has its faults and shortcomings, 
so that only by a plan of its gait can the proper adjustment be found. 
The apparent contradictions of the principles involved, which at times 
may puzzle the investigator, will always have their origin in some 
grievous and permanent defect in the equine mechanism, and an analysis 
of a gait should precede any changes in shoeing. After that the first 
change should always be in the shape of the foot ; that is, in its length 
of toe and height of heel. Too much attention is given to the mere 
weight of shoes, and while this consideration is well worth taking into 
account the shape of the foot should precede even the shape of the 
shoe. 

Although I have regretted that my opportunities did not include 



260 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

very many pacers, there has been enough evidence among the few 
whose gaits were investigated and changed to make the application of 
the same general principles as rational as with the gait of the trotter. 
As far as the shoeing is concerned I can not, therefore, offer any sim- 
ilar examples of the effects of conditions that prevailed in the experi- 
ments with the trotters, but in the next chapter the pacing gait will be 
considered to a limited extent when the bothersome single-footing 
appears as the connecting link between the two gaits of the standard 
horse. 

Warning has already been given against too many changes at one 
time with the idea of effecting a ready remedy once for all. Many of 
my experiments were not free from this error, because the impatience 
of others and the lack of time for development urged me to do so. 
Balance, however, is a matter of slow evolution, especially where any 
faults of comformation exist ; and if permanently beneficial results are 
sought time remains the biggest factor of the work. 

Although the considerations of this chapter on the length of toe 
and the height of heel, or rather the angle of the foot, follow those on 
the motion of the horse and the weight and shape of the shoe, they are 
given rather as a review of the whole subject in hand. Great stress 
must be laid on the prime importance of the foot of the horse. The 
subject has, however, been treated so fully by its originator, David 
Roberge, that little can be added to its main features. 

There is one point of practice which seems to stand forth promi- 
netly in every word of that master of the forge. For, not only was he 
master at the forge, but he was master on the floor as well, and this bids 
me voice my own view on the usual way of shoeing, namely, of leaving 
the most important part of the work — the leveling and adjusting of the 
hoof — to someone else, commonly known as the floorman. Any good 
mechanic can turn out a good shoe, but only a good farrier can fit the 
shoe to the foot and prepare the foot to receive it. One man should do 
the whole job, or at least superintend it properly, because two men 
working separately cannot do good work. One unnecessary lick Of the 
rasp will often spoil the nicety of adjustment to effect balance. 

The many experiments with unequal conditions, due in part to un- 



The Angle and Length of Foot 261 

equal conditions of the gait in question, have, I hope, made this im- 
portant subject still clearer, and have impressed the reader with the 
importance of the two prime causes of balance, namely, length of 
toe and angle of foot. Without careful attention to these two prime 
factors of balance at all times, we are apt to land in a maze of con- 
fusion and contradiction. In a measure we might say of the foot and 
balance as we say of the cents and dollars : "Take care of the shape 
of the foot and the balance takes care of itself. " 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE HARMONY IN A GAIT, 



I. — The Prime Condition of an Easy and Regular Gait. 

No trotter can trot and no pacer can pace well unless the two dis- 
tances between the feet that move together are practically the same 
when the feet are set on the ground. Whether one pair moves ahead of 
the other a reasonable distance is of some, but of less, importance to 
the regularity of either gait, as long as the correlated feet show no 
marked difference in their respective separations. We have seen that 
no two such distances are exactly alike at each stride, for the eagerness 
of the horse, the urging of the driver and the slight unevenness of the 
ground, all make the resulting exertions of the animal vary in extent ; 
but we can depend on the average of a number of strides as indicating 
the tendencies of extension and propulsion. What is true of these 
distances is likewise true of the individual strides. 

Take, for instance, the trial of a McKinney mare, with an average 
stride of 18.91 ft., and with total variations of individual strides from 
this average comparatively small, namely : 

near - Fore - off near - Hind - off 

4- 1.98 — 2.13 4- 1.85 — 2.00 4- 2.25 — 2.40 + 2.21 — 2.01 

Total scope 
4. 11 3.85 4.65 4.22 

The fore showed from 18.55 ft - t0 I 94° ft - and the hind * rom 
18.50 ft. to 19.35 ft- as lowest and highest strides. Now, as" to the 
important equality of the distance between the feet of the two pairs 
as they land on the ground together, we have : 

262 



The Harmony in a Gait 263 

Distance of correlated feet. 

n f - h f - n h 

3.94 feet 3.97 feet 

as the two averages, with smallest and greatest distances, as follows: 

3-6o,4-i5 3-70.4-35 

The difference between the averages is, therefore, 0.03 feet, or 
O.36 inch, a negligible distance, which shows both sides to be regular 
in extension. It should be mentioned that there was a preference of 
the off fore to precede the near fore by 0.18 feet, or 2.16 inches, and 
likewise the near hind (the diagonal mate of off fore) preceded the off 
hind by 0.15 feet or 1.8 inch, the difference being as found, or 0.36 
inch greater for the distance between off fore and near hind. 

As far as the overstep is concerned, it would naturally be greater 
on the side where hind foot has a greater extension and fore foot ahead 
of it has a lesser extension, as in this case would be the near side. That 
difference here amounts to nearly 2 inches, which in view of the nearly 
equal separations of fore and hind feet (3.94 and 3.97) becomes also 
a negligible quantity. 

Regularity of gait is not bound by an exact equality of the distances 
given and must at all times be allowed some elastic form or spring in 
its progress. We are not dealing with an automobile with its stiff, me- 
tallic component parts of machinery, but with the tissues of a highly 
organized animal locomotion. Let me, therefore, bring before the 
reader again the excellent pictures of a few horses in motion of recent 
date, taken remarkably well by Mr. Ted. Hansom of New York. 

Fig. 192 gives the trotter Lord Derby 2:05^1 with his two cor- 
related feet — near fore and off hind — on the ground, ready to make a 
supreme effort to hurl himself into the air while the other pair of feet 
are getting ready to extend to their utmost reach. The position is in- 
teresting in that it shows the difference between fore and hind motion 
as discussed in Chapter VI under Fig. 156. The easier unfolding of 
hock joint and its lower elevation as compared with the greater exer- 
tion necessary for the front flexion is well shown here in its beginning. 

The next position, a fraction of a second later, is seen in Fig. 193, 
the California stallion Idolita 2:09)4 being the subject. Here we 



264 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

have the clanger point of interference well marked, the near hind being 
in close pursuit of the retreating near fore. The animal is in the air, 
but not at his highest elevation from the ground. A better example of 
the equal forward and backward swing of the legs could hardly be given 
from life. While the near fore and off hind show nearly the same 
distance between them as it was on the ground, the other pair again 
bring out, by their temporarily greater separation, the composite un- 
folding and descent of the fore leg and foot, this distance being about 
one and one-quarter times as great as that between the other two feet ; 
but when they also strike the ground they will be closer together than 
at present. 

Our next glance falls on Kingmond 2:09 in Fig. 194. Though 
the position of the feet is reversed it is in direct succession to the pre- 
ceding ones. The off fore is well beyond the point of interference in 
its upward flight for flexion, while the hock action of its correlated mate 
or near hind is at its greatest height ; and the off hind follows the out- 
stretched near fore in its descent, which looks like an unbending col-' 
umn or prop to support the tremendous impact of the horse with the 
ground caused by the weight and speed of the subject. It is a good 
example of the relative immobility of the forequarters and of the fore 
leg as a straight lever of the whole body for the next hurling forward. 
It looks as if the off hind would land sooner than the near fore, but 
if we recall the lines of motion heretofore discussed under Fig. 136 it 
will become evident how the fore with its more vertical and quicker 
motion will reach the ground at practically the same moment as the 
hind will with its more horizontal and slower motion. The fore leg has 
always the momentum of its descent to accelerate it, while the hind has 
more of a horizontal momentum of less degree. 

The picture of two pacers are also offered in Figs. 195 and 196, as 
exemplifying the features of that gait. Illustrations for this purpose 
were hard to get, and though Dan Patch 1:55^4 should grace these 
pages as an illustrious example, it is to be regretted that no. good 
picture could be procured. 

Anaconda 2:01% and Morning Star 2:04^ are, however, 
sufficiently representative of that lateral mode of locomotion to illustrate 




Q bo 
& a 

o - M 

o 



Fig 193 



■n 


■i 


• 






piyv 


t .'4? : --,, , h 


1 "3H3gy 



IDOLITA 2:09X- 

By Mendocino, dam Edith, by George Wilkes. 



Fig. 94. 




Kingmond 2:09. 
Bv King Darlington, dam Rosamond, by Red Wilkes 



Fig. 195. 




Anaconda 2:01^ pacing, 2:09^ trotting. 
By Knight, dam by Algona. 



Fig. 196. 




Morning Star 2:043^. (p.) 
By Star Pointer, dam Fanny Egthorne, by Egthorne. 



The Harmony in a Gait 265 

a few points in question. Fig. 195 shows the pacer in a position of the 
pendulum-like swing of the fore and hind legs, as discussed under 
Figs. 15 and 16. It also brings out well the danger point of "cross- 
firing," although in the gait of this pacer there was no such interference. 
We have here also the observation made in Fig. 26 of the gait of a 
pacer in ten consecutive attitudes. Here as well as there the correlated 
hind foot leaves the ground a little sooner than its forward mate. That 
is, in this instance the near hind is well up while the near fore is just 
above the ground. In the group of the three trotters under Figs. 22, 
23 and 24 we notice the opposite movement, namely, the fore leaves the 
ground a little ahead of its correlated and opposite hind foot, although 
in Clay, Fig. 25, this is not the case. This seems to b'e dependent on 
the forward action, which in the trotter is generally higher and bolder 
than in the pacer. The easy, low and apparently more frictionless 
movements of the pacer seem to enable him to use the fore legs more 
readily as propellers as well as props and levers. In Fig. 195 we see 
the toe of off hind foot pointing down still, showing that the leg is not 
stretched out to its full length or ready for the contact with the ground ; 
for, the heel of the foot must be the first to land. 

Another instance of the low movements in front as well as behind 
is shown in Fig. 196, Morning Star 2:04^ being the object of our 
gaze just as the animal is in mid-air. The picture is well taken and 
proves that, although a pacer's movements are lower than a trotter's, 
the elevation of the horse from the ground is in many cases not any 
less.. While not so fully extended as Anaconda, this subject must have 
good lines of motion. We can notice, likewise, the equal backward 
and forward extension on which so much depends for an even fall of 
the feet and an equal distance between the two pairs of correlated 
feet, 

All of these five horses show a smooth and even action and ex- 
tension and impress the beholder as being well balanced and one can 
almost hear the regularity of the fall of their feet. They serve as good 
living examples of the subject under discussion, namely, that a good 
square gait must have for its foundation the practical equality of the 
two distances between the two pairs of correlated feet. The average 



266 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

distance of one pair must not differ materially from the average dis- 
tance of the other pair. 

This regularity of motion, due to the equal distance between the 
two pairs of correlated feet, is readily seen when the camera arrests its 
continuity ; but since we cannot always bring into use this marvelous 
invention and since the eye cannot follow the motion with any accuracy, 
we must call to our assistance our sense of hearing. The ear will 
easily detect a lack of rhythm in the uniform fall of the feet and their 
concussion with the ground. Long before such an event, however, the 
gait may have been in disorder through this inequality of the correlated 
distances, but when the ear is offended it is time that we look into the 
matter as in the next chapter. 

II. — Single-Footing — An Alarm of a Disordered Balancf 

The peculiar consecutive fall of the four feet, so pleasing to the 
ear of the rider, but so extremely irritating to a driver, and known very 
properly as "single-footing," is often the result of a pacing tendency 
in the trotter, but more often the outcome of a bad adjustment of foot 
and shoe. I am always opposed to the forcing methods, by which is 
meant the continued training and driving in the face of such an indi- 
cation of a bad balance. In the beginning an appeal was made for sane 
and sensible principles in the development of the standard horse. Many 
trainers do not recognize the first symptoms of this mixed gait and go 
on training all the harder to eradicate it. Single-footing, like hopping 
or any interference or any concussion or sliding on the ground — in 
fact, any indication that the locomotion of the horse is impeded in any 
manner by some fault of the horse or by some error of his lord and 
master — should at once arrest all further development until a clear idea 
of the commotion or disturbance can be had. 

The single-foot as it appears now and then in the trotter and pacer 
is not the genuine article, but is a sufficient approach to it to cause ex- 
treme annoyance. The real single- foot appears in Fig. 197, the positions 
being taken from the book that originated from the photographic ex- 
periments at the once famous Palo Alto Farm. This gait may be de- 



The Harmony in a Gait 



• 267 



scribed as being midway between trotting and pacing, for it may be said 
that the front legs trot while the hind ones pace. There is a good but 
rather vertical front action, while behind the action is not only low but 
more forward. In its purity the single-foot is a delightful saddle gait, 
but in its adulterated form, mixed more or less with the trotting or 
pacing gait, it is an abominable hybrid motion. It seems to. originate 
from the same causes such as bring about a high vertical action in front 

y^L F/C.197 




and a low and forward action behind. Roughly stated it is caused by a 
high angle of front feet combined with a low angle behind, but we.ight 
and shape of shoe, as well as length of toe, are contributory to its de- 
velopment. 

Let us examine the six positions of a single-footing horse in Fig. 
197, taken originally from life and then re-drawn. On account of the 
low and forward action of the hind feet we may say that they come 
in contact with the ground before the front feet do. In the first po- 



268 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



sition hind foot A has reached the ground before fore foot B has been 
removed and before the off fore C has made a contact with the soil. 
In the third position, C has just come to the ground. Note the dis- 
tance between A and C and the difference of inclination of the legs due 
to their independent actions. While D and B are off the ground in the 
second position note the difference in elevation, which seems highest in 
the fifth position. Directly after that D lands on ground, while its 
diagonally opposite mate B is about to descend, as in the last position. 
The pictures are meant to illustrate the difference in elevation and 
action between fore and hind feet and to show that such a difference 



r/Cr. m 




riCr.idd 



may at any time, through faulty balancing, bring about in a more or 
less aggravated form what is known as single-footing. There is among 
all the feet no connection in pairs, as in the trot or pace, such as have 
been termed the correlated feet, and each one lands more or less inde- 
pendently on the ground. As before mentioned, the characteristic of 
this motion is the difference in action and elevation between fore and 
hind extremities. To make it clearer, a comparison with the attitudes of 
the flying trot are given in Figs. 198 and 199. The distinctly direct and 
equalized motion of both fore and hind extremities, as compared with 



The Harmony in a Gait 269 

the positions of Fig. 197, become immediately apparent to the observer. 
The drawings were orginally made from photographs, as the open 
mouth of the animal will indicate. In Fig. 199 we see A meeting B, 
but the latter is not found on the ground but well up, because the mo- 
tion of B is not independent of the other feet, but intimately related or 
correlated to that of the diagonally opposite hind foot D. With the 
horse fully in the air there is visible in each of these positions the equal 
closing and opening between the fore and the hind on each side. The 
hind foot A passes under the fore foot B on the same side, as has been 
discussed before. 

Again, in the second position of Fig. 199 the hind foot A, though 
lower in elevation than its correlated fore foot C, is not quite extended, 
so that while the fore foot C is descending the hind foot has still time 
to straighten out and strike the ground heel first. This shows that there 
is a harmonious action between the two feet that travel together, 
for these must strike the ground at the same time. The time-beat of 
the trot and the pace should be : one, two — one, two ; while the time- 
beat of the single-foot, or any of its imperfect variations, is : one, two, 
three, four. And again, to make either the trot or the pace quite regular 
the two time-beats must not be like those of a limping pendulum, with 
the accent on the "one" or the "two." 

Assuming that the two horses given in Fig.. 198 were one and the 
same animal, we should, therefore, have the distance A C = D B, or at 
least the averages of each for a number of strides should be alike or 
very nearly so. 

Let me bring before the reader two cases of trotters showing the 
ambling gait due to faulty or inadequate shoeing. As a preliminary re- 
mark, and one that is borne out by many observations, I may state that 
where excessive extension is found to be either with one leg only or with 
the pair of hind and fore feet that do not move together — diagonally 
in the pacer and laterally in the trotter — there is evidence of a mixed 
gait, or lack of proper balance. 

The first case (Fig. 200), is that of Figs. 137 to 140 and 142 of 
Chapter VI, where an excessive extension of the near hind was caused 
by the inactivity of the off hind. Similar conditions exist in an inter- 



270 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



mediate but faulty shoeing, which caused the horse to amble or single- 
foot to a slight extent. In fact, my notes tell of a "peculiar feature of 
the trial being his inability to trot squarely and his reaching the ground 
too soon with hind feet, which caused ambling or single-footing." 

Compared with the trials under Figs. 137-140 the average distance 
between hind and fore feet in this case (2.83 feet) is far below those 




round square- 

3% in. 

toe,. I 





J////JHJ. 



7 /i6m. 



■77777T,m s //6in. 



swelled heels 

Extensions : 



.36 in. 




Fi 0.200 



nf- oh = 3.07 ft 

of -nh = 2.69ft. 

2>/ff. = .-9-8 ft. 

or S.76in. 

Jlver. = 2.83 ft. 
Stride, = JS.oift 




zmszj 



swelled heals 
Extensions 




7l.f-oh - 2.87 ft. 
of-nh - .88 ft. 
Diff = 1.99 ft. 

or 23.88 in . 
J) iterate. = /,8Sff. 
Striate. = /2.goft 



former trials, which is no doubt due to the longer heels and squared 
toe of the off hind, as well as to heavier shoe and greater angle of the 
off fore. The near hind still retains the. habit of excessive extension. 
The notes on measurements of extensions from median line give a very 
marked contact with ground of the heels of the off fore 
and the off hind. There seems to have been a premature contact with 



The Harmony in a Gait 271 

near hind due to greater swell in heels, which in turn brought down the 
off fore a second later with its heels striking hard on ground. Then 
followed the off hind with its combination of squared toe and longer 
heels, which again preceded its correlated near fore in striking the 
ground. The forward reach of the off hind is seen in the marked 
contact of its heels with ground. Altogether there were, therefore, the 
four consecutive time-beats of the amble or single-foot. However 
faulty the shoeing may have been, such conditions may exist in the 
shape of the foot, naturally or through careless trimming. It only goes 
to show how a fault in the gait may be further accentuated or increased 
by a wrong adjustment. 

A still more aggravated case was that of a good big trotting mare 
by Steinway, whose attitude in front as well as behind was faulty, in 
that she pointed back with fore and forward with hind. She could trot 
a mile in better time than 2 125. She was shod heavier behind for a trial, 
but in error, if must be admitted, as the results will show. In Fig. 201 
that shoeing is given. Under "Toeweights" she appears in Figs. 121 
and 125. The shoeing now given shows a trial with heavy hind shoes 
with smooth heels, the near one having longer heels. The mare's habit 
of forward pointing with the hind feet was simply aggravated thereby 
and the result was that peculiar extension of the feet, as given. 

The gait started with a trot and ended in a sort of a single-foot, 
which was all due to the greater and easier extension of hind feet. 
This single-foot had the characteristics of the pure single-foot, as illus- 
trated in Fig. 197, but it resembled the pace as well by having the 
greater extensions on the near side only. If urged still more the mare 
would have broken into a run to regain her balance. Of the 20 strides 
shown 12 were trotted and 8 single-footed. The averages of the 12 
trotting strides were as follows : 

near — Fore — off near — Hind — off 

12.98 12.92 13.05 12.98 

showing even then an increased extension of hind over fore of 0.06 feet 
or 0.72 inch ; that is to say, the average stride of the fore is 



272 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

12.98 + 12.92 = I2<95 f tj and f the hind 13.05 + 12.98 = I3 QI £ t 
Z 2 



The general average for that part of the performance is 12.98 ft. 

With the thirteenth stride begins the mixed gait, the fore action 
being short and high and the hind action long and low. In fact, the • 
single- footing had the effect of decreasing the general average stride 
of the whole trial to 12.90 feet approximately. 

Now, for the last eight strides we have the following averages of 
the fore legs : 

near — Fore — off near — Hind — off 

12.71 12.55 13.07 12.85 

showing an average for the two fore of 12.63 ft. ( 12.71 + 12.55 ) anc j 
for the two hind of 12.96 ft. ( 13 - 07 + 12.85 ^ the general average of 
the fore and hind being approximately 12.80 ft. (?LIL§), so that we 
have a shorter average stride with lessened forward extension and in- 
creased hind extension. Here we have a difference of extension of hind 
over fore of 0.33 feet, or 3.96 inches. 

Averaging these two differences (0.06 feet for 12 strides, and 0.33 
feet for 8 strides), we get about 0.17 feet as the average difference of 
extension of the two hind over the two fore, or 0.085 ft. as the actual 
difference in extension between the front and hind extremities. This 
same difference is visible in the calculations of the distances of opposite 
feet and of the diagonal or correlated feet. In the former we have 
the totals as follows : 

Averages. 

Fore. Hind. 

o to n n to o o to n to o 

7-35 541 740 5-53 

-+1.94 '+1.87 

as shown in the extension of Fig. 201 ; that is, one-half of such differ- 
ences constitutes the actual difference of extension of one foot over 



The Harmsny in a Gait 273 

the other. In other words, in this case the near fore exceeds the off 
fore by 0.97 ft., or 11.64 inches, and the actual difference of extension 
behind is 0.935 ft-> or ^ * s ll - 22 inches greater for the near hind. This 
makes the separation between the correlated or diagonally opposite 
feet equal to the sum total of these two differences, or 22.86 inches, 
whereas ordinarily the difference should be only nominal. 

Now again, we have by the crosswise differences in the measure- 
ments of the near fore and off hind and again of the off fore and near 
hind the following two averages of the totals : 

Dist. correlated feet. 

nf-oh of-nh 

2.87 0.88 

+ 1.99 

showing an actual difference of 1.99 ft., or 23.88 inches. Under ordi- 
nary circumstances this should equal 1>94 + i- 87 , or 1.905, as the dif- 
ference between opposite feet indicated above. The two calculations 
should tally and are always a check on the correctness of the figures. 
But here we have a difference of 0.085 ft. (1.99 — 1.905), which is 
one-half of the difference of the two extensions of the hind over the 
fore, namely, 0.17 ft., as given above. This difference in extension 
appears also in the sums total of the fore and of the hind extensions, 
as given in the average distances between the opposite feet, namely: 

7-35 + 54 1 = 12.76 for the fore, and 
7.40 + 5.53 = 12.93 for the hind extensions, 

giving us a difference of 0.17 ft. between the two hind and the two fore ; 
that is to say, 12.93 — 12.76 w ju again express the actual difference 
in extension between fore and hind extensions. This difference of 
0.085 * s a ^ so found if we take the difference between the distance of 
the correlated feet and that of the opposite feet as found in inches, 
namely, 23.88 — 22.86, which is 1.02 inch, or 0.085 ft- 

If tbere is any difference of extension between the fore and the 
hind it e H generally appear in the averages of the fore and of the 
hind, wheif* he averages of the distances of one foot to the opposite one 



2/4 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



are taken. For practical purposes this is the most important and the 

FIG. 202. 



PACE 



tf> 



CI 



1 | 

Ci 



I 2 

fti 



ti 
A 



(!) 



m 



z , 

ft 



ct) 



rk 





1 2 



ft 




i/ 1 




TPOT 



ffi* 






ti 



O z 




3-*- 



fo 




3-4 



f! i 



O^ A i 



3-4 



FI6.203. 




SO 



<9-m . 

xuith 
Jbad 




/O 
49 



futltbc 




7 
S3' 



4 7/7 

/be- 




5 

J2* 



Extensions : 




3.+2//T. 



nf-oh = J.////-, 
o/w?/? - Z£///. 

i)//"/: = .20/vf. 

or 2.4/W-. 
yfo<?r. = J.0//J*. 
*5/r/ofe = /4*#- 



K2//7 



ie 



The Harmony in a Gait • 275 

easiest calculation to make and will reveal the average position of the 
feet without much trouble ; but to establish a more complete picture 
of the locomotion the various other averages are resorted to as a check 
on the first figures. 

This matter is entered into so minutely in order to show that even 
in a case like this one, where it is difficult to get at the various dif- 
ferences in measurements, there is a demonstration possible, not only 
of the extensions, but also of the lack of harmony between the figures, 
for such harmony is ordinarily found when the locomotion is a 
pure trot or a true pace. 

All these details of the relative positions of the feet may strike 
the reader as too fine or hair-splitting, and they are merely given as a. 
demonstration of the reliability of the measurements and their averages. 
The fact is at least established that the hind extension is not in 
accord with that in front, and that from a good regular start the 
gait degenerates into a half single-foot at the twelfth stride, and con- 
tinues to get worse by the twentieth stride until finally it would end 
in a break or run. This gait was, therefore, while it lasted, a cross 
between the real single- foot and the trot. A glance at the table 
of Fig. 202 will illustrate this still further. Here we have the tracks 
of the single-foot, as shown in Fig. 197, in the lines of motion marked 
B. The time-beats are distinctly and evenly divided into 1, 2, 3, 4, 
and the feet land as numbered. The tracks resemble in position those 
of the true pace, A, where fore and hind on either side move and 
land together with equal distances between them to the time-beats, 1, 2. 

In C we have the tracks of the pure trot, where the diagonally op- 
posite feet move together with equal distances between them, and 
where the time-beats are also 1, 2. 

In X, finally, we have the tracks of our present subject, half 
trotting and half pacing, or rather engaged in an imitation single-foot. 
While the feet marked 3-4 move together as in the trot, but do not quite 
coincide in the contact with ground, the feet marked 1 and 2 show a 
reverse extension from a similar pair of feet in C. The little arrows 
indicate the pointing back of off fore and the pointing forward of 
near hind, a position clearly indicated in the average extensions of 



276 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

Fig. 201. The near fore and the off hind retain their positions almost 
as in the trot C and are connected with these by lines to show that 
fact. Again, as to the time-beats we have a mixture of the regular 
I, 2, 3, 4 of the single-foot and the even i, 2 of the trot, for in X 
we find the 1 and 2 fairly evenly divided, while the 3 and 4 follow 
closely together, as the dash between the figures is meant to indicate. 
The alignment of these four gaits by the positions of the feet and 
their time-beats, as represented in Fig. 202, will serve as a study in 
comparative locomotion. 

To correct the shoeing of Fig. 201, which produced the mixed 
gait, the next trial was made with the shoeing of Fig. 203, where 
the principles of unequal angles and weights were supposed to adjust 
matters again to their normal conditions. The extensions as given, and 
the whole gait for that matter, proved that the mare was moving fairly 
well. She was at least free from any trace of single-footing. The 
near fore still retains the habitual extension, due no doubt to fear 
of interference on that side, but behind the change is remarkable. The 
calks in hind shoes have a material influence on the separation of the 
fore and hind feet, for, in this trial, the average is 3.01 ft. against 
1.85 ft. in the previous one, while the stride also is more free and 
extended. 

All in all, therefore, the correction brought about a definite im- 
provement. The heels of both hind shoes are alike ; that is to say, 
the heels of the near hind are not %. in. longer as they were in the 
previous shoeing. This had undoubtedly a great deal to do with her 
irregular gait, but the greater hind extension was principally due to 
the heavier hind shoes with smooth heels. This is especially true of 
horses that point under as this mare did. The check to such pointing 
seems to be calked heels and these modify not only the extension, but 
also change the inclination to reach forward to one of higher action. 

Whenever such a mixed gait occurs an immediate recourse to 
these measurements and their averages will locate the fault without fail 
and will at least enable the trainer to understand the trouble. We may 
at times be in error regarding a shoeing and a mixed gait may be our 
reward, but after an investigation of this sort — which takes much 



The Harmony in a Gait 277 

less time than it did to write this chapter — we may at least apply 
such remedies as suggest themselves. Subsequent investigations will 
then reveal the fact whether the work was done on correct lines, or 
whether further changes are necessary to wipe out all traces of a gait 
such as the single-foot. 



CHAPTER IX 



DOWNHILL AND UPHILL TRIALS COMPARED. 



Slight grades prevail on almost every track and many experiments 
enumerated in this book, and many more not given but corroborative 
of the facts explained, have all been taken with such conditions 
known. About twenty-seven of these were trials in both directions 
consecutively over the same ground. Various horses were used as. 
subjects and the comparisons between uphill and downhill will perhaps, 
serve as indications of the effect of such grades under the same ad- 
justment of shoes. Some horses preferred to go uphill, that is, their 
movements were better and such improvement of gait gave rise to 
a change of the shoeing. 

In many experiments preference was given to trials on a downhill 
grade because it appeared to be a more severe test for the balance of 
the animal to have the increasing momentum of the body added to 
the ordinary efforts of locomotion. More weight is thrown on the 
fore part of the body in the downhill movement, while uphill the 
weight shifts more towards the hind part of the body. 

Reference is here made to Fig. 29, where Abe Edgington is 
shown under the saddle and where the weight of the rider incites 
the horse, to greater hind action and backward extension. The down- 
grade movement requires a better control of the motion and a defect 
in the gait is more readily detected, while the upgrade movement is 
characterized by an effort to lift the body higher off the ground at 
every stride and therefore it develops more action. Downhill the 
horse is hurled forward and downward at every step and his action, 
while freer, will be lower ; but to be exact it should be stated that 
in going downhill the front action will be somewhat more developed 

278 



Downhill arid Uphill Trials Compared 279 

than the hind action, and, vice versa, going uphill the hind action is 
apt to increase. Experience of trainers will probably bear out the as- 
sertion that the dead-level track is more tiresome for the horse than 
slight inclines both ways. Mountain teamsters do not as a rule fancy 
a scientifically even uphill grade for a load, but prefer level stretches 
or slight downgrades at intervals on a long uphill pull. The let-up 
in the continuous strain uphill readjusts the muscular system and 
grants a temporary relief to the horse. This should hold true of the 
horse at speed, where quickness of motion and the pulling of ever so 
slight a load use up more vitality than the process of slow but heavy 
draft. 

Again, it is advisable to examine the manner of gait when we 
take into consideration the benefits of the up and down grades. A 
long-gaited horse has the advantage over a short-gaited one going 
downhill, but a short-gaited horse is more effective in propulsion going 
uphill and does it more easily. Going uphill, be it ever so slight an 
incline, requires continual lifting and a rapid succession of steps will 
accomplish that more readily than the swing of a long stride. The 
downhill incline lends itself more easily to the horse with a long reach 
because the momentum of his body increases his speed without per- 
ceptibly increasing the rapidity of the movements. 

A short-gaited horse, however, finds himself in a peculiar pre- 
dicament going downhill, when his weight hurls him farther than his 
ordinary stride will almost warrant, and it may happen to him that a 
break will be his final relief. The long-gaited horse, on the other 
hand, prefers to take a hill in a gallop because his manner of going 
is checked by an uphill grade. 

The conduct of the animal, therefore, in going uphill or down- 
hill depends on the ability of either modifying or expanding the 
curves of motion discussed under Figs. 19, 20 and 21. One of the 
hardest problems of training or shoeing is, in fact, the regulation of 
the gait so that a rapid motion may assume a little more extension and 
a long motion a little more repression. 

The natural gait of each horse is amenable to but a slight change 
either way, but the effort to modify either the rapid or the long loco- 



280 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

motion is worth making if the horse is at all worth training. Every 
horse should be able to meet the demands of a down or an up grade 
while he is speeding along at his best. In the hilly section of France 
called Perche they used to have a course mapped out for horses old 
enough to be tested for their capacity of draft at speed. They were 
trotted at top speed over several miles of road up and down hill. Time 
was a factor in this test, so that their strength, courage, endurance 
and action were under a severe strain during the entire course. 

While it is to be regretted that our standard bred horse is not 
subjected more to the test of weight pulling and thereby would become 
also a more useful horse by heredity, the great speed attained to-day 
does in a way constitute a test of strength, endurance, courage and 
action. Such speed should not be confined to a lone mile on a dead 
level track, but should be able to surmount the clatter of the hoofs of 
opponents and the uphill and downhill grades as they may appear on the 
track. Hence my plan to test a shoeing not only one way of going, but 
also the opposite way, and to speed the reverse way of the track as 
well, in order that the test for the balancing may be reliable. 

Rather than take the extreme and unreasonable view that a real 
trotter will trot under any conditions and with any kind of shoes, it 
would be far nearer the real truth to hold that a trotter or a pacer 
will stick to his gait when a proper balance has been established, no 
matter whether the course is uphill or downhill ; for such grades cannot 
always be avoided and are, moreover, an advantage. But to claim 
that one of such conditions might at any time be a carelessly prepared 
or extremely rough track, which lessens speed and endangers racing, 
is tantamount to giving harness racing a hard blow, against which 
respectable men should at all times protect it. The aim should not 
exactly be to prepare for a lone mile under ideal conditions, but to 
prepare to meet the excitement and turns and twists of a real race 
with the noise and dust of the contest to boot. In other words, it 
seems best and more rational to lay the foundations for balancing 
on extremely broad lines and to be extremely critical as to what con- 
stitutes proper balance for each individual horse. 

We have here to consider the comparative effects of uphill and 



Downhill and Uphill 1 rials Compared 281 

downhill trials on the extensions and the variations of the four moving 
legs. 

An increase in speea, or what amounts to the same thing, an in- 
crease in stride, generally causes the extremities to separate slightly 
more. I am speaking here of animals with normal or fairly regular 
attitudes, and of trials made with the same or nearly the same adjust- 
ment of. shoes. For, by means of very different shoeing we do not 
always observe this to be the case. 

Uphill this increase of separation is principally produced by the 
greater backward and upward action of the hind legs, while downhill 
such a greater separation is due more to the greater forward action of 
the forelegs. These observations do not apply to horses with very 
faulty attitudes, such as standing under both in front and behind, or 
having either extremity pointing that way. Any increase of speed in 
their cases seems to affect such pointing still more, since the effort 
seems to be then to shove back farther with the fore and to reach for- 
ward still more with the hind. This applies to all trials made under 
the same conditions, but with varying speed or stride. 

Toe-weights seem to be a handicap to extension on an uphill grade, 
while downhill they increase the extension. Heavy hind shoes show 
the effect of higher action better on an uphill grade and the same is 
true of squared hind toes. 

The case of Figs. 183 and 184 illustrates the benefit of squared 
hind toes when trotting uphill with an average distance of the corre- 
lated feet of 3.98 ft., and going downhill the same distance being 
4.38 ft. This trotter was peculiar in that he lacked forward exten- 
sion and action behind and he dubbed his hind toes, thereby causing 
an abnormal separation of the extremities. The uphill trial gave the 
smallest distance (3.98 ft.) of any trial. On the uphill .grade his hind 
heels did not have as long a contact with the ground and the ease with 
which the squared toe yielded to the leverage at toe produced this 
greater hind action, and in this case also a somewhat better forward 
extension in consequence. In this uphill trial the fore legs showed 
great variations from the average stride since the forward action was 
impeded by a low angle of the foot. 



282 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



A steeper angle of the feet gives the animal a chance to lean for- 
ward and overcome the force of gravity better on an uphill grade. 
Lower angles lend themselves better to a downhill grade, because the 
leverage at the toe is somewhat easier, which is due to the fact that 
the position of the toe is slightly lower than that of the heel ; besides, 
the momentum of the body is aided by the force of gravity rather than 
impeded by it, as in the uphill grade. 

Fig. 204 will give an illustration of the effect of the up and down 
grade on the toe leverage. On the incline A B of 1, two feet are mov- 
ing down and two feet up, the former being of a lower angle than the 




no. 204 

Extreme anqles of The foot on on incline 

latter. It will appear that the positions D and D' with their low angles 
are better adapted for both a reasonable contact with ground and a 
fairly easy leverage at toe on the down grade, while the positions U 
and U' going uphill with a greater angle or higher heel show again 
the better facility for a contact with the ground that will not hasten 
the breakover at toe and yet will quicken its leverage. 

If we reverse the positions of the feet, as downhill in 2 of Fig. 
204, we have the higher heeled foot at U breaking over too suddenly at 
U' and again at D we have the low heeled foot breakover too soon 
at D' going uphill. The result in the last positions will be the reverse 
of those of 1. That is to say, the contact with the ground will be 



Downhill and Uphill Trials Compared 28 



o 



lessened in both up and down grade movements, and the leverage 
at the toes will be ineffective though easy at LP, and also difficult be- 
cause it does not occur at the right moment, and the consequence of 
such effects is 1) that the feet U and U' point back and increase the 
upward action of the leg because of this too quick toe leverage ; and 
2) that the feet D and D' will point forward to ease the leverage and 
therefore will lose the effect of a good hold with the toe, because they 
lack backward extension and action. Or, again, we may say that while 
U and U' are checked by a higher heel on the down grade the feet 
at D and D' are checked by the lower heel and the more pointed toe. 
We shall find on the ground surface a consequent greater concussion 
•of the heels of the former and the toes of the latter feet. 

The feet best adapted to the down grade would be D and D' 
of 1 as the fore feet and U and LP of 2 as the hind feet, while for 
upgrade U and LP of 1 would serve best as the hind feet and nearly 
as well for the fore feet. It will be readily seen that if we put D 
and D' in either figure as the hind and U and LP as the fore feet we 
shall have as a result a probable intereference and a cramped loco- 
motion, because these legs or feet would in either case point toward 
each other instead of pointing away from each other. 

The practical benefit, therefore, which such trials on inclines seem 
to offer is a hint as to the angles of the fore and of the hind feet 
rather than the length of the toes, for the angle determines the ease 
or the difficulty with which the leverage at the toe takes place. In- 
cidentally it may also lead to the solution of the weight and the shape 
of the shoes. Attention has been called to the variations which the 
fore or hind legs may show from the average stride. They may 
be greater or smaller at either extremity. The horse may "recover" 
in front, or may hop or change behind, owing to such defective or 
excessive leverage at the toe. 

If we take U and LP in 2 of Fig. 204 as the fore feet we shall 
have excessive ease of leverage ; that is to say, the leg may lack for- 
ward extension, which would not be the case with D and D' in 1 as 
the fore feet. And vice versa, in going uphill we would have the 
feet U and LP of 1 to better advantage than they are in D and D' of 



28a Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

2. Again considering the hind feet, we have U and U' of 2 in a far 
better condition for the necessary backward extension downhill than 
they would appear to be as D and D' of 1 ; but in going uphill the 
hind feet D and D' of 2 would not be benefited as much by a low angle 
as they would be in U and U' of 2 because of the lack of heel support 
and of the difficult leverage at toe. To avoid, however, too great a 
backward extension of such hind feet, as in U and U' of 1, the angle 
necessary for an effective leverage at toe, and the latter's hold on the 
ground, would probably be midway between the two angles here shown. 
The purpose of pointing out these conditions on the incline is merely 
to find a remedy for excessive variations in the strides when they 
do occur in either direction. To insure a regular gait such variations, 
should be but small, and while they exist at all times to some extent,, 
they are attributable more to the condition of the ground and the am- 
bition of the animal rather than to the faulty leverage at the toes. 

A few cases as illustration may perhaps serve to bring these 
points more vividly before the mind of the reader. Let me take the 
most palpable cases where some pacing inclination existed. These were,, 
one a filly discussed under Fig. 190, and the other one an unsatis- 
factory little trotter that would pace now and then, but was possessed 
of no speed. The latter puzzled me a good deal on account of her lack 
of extension of either fore or hind. There was no action either by 
which to influence the gait through weight of shoe or angles of feet. 
She generally showed an excess of extension on one side only, in- 
stead of having it appear diagonally across. Heavy front shoes with 
toe-weights would steady her and give her a longer stride, but at all 
times she would trot better uphill than downhill. It was always evi- 
dent that the action was better going uphill, that is, it was equalized 
more between fore and hind legs. Due to some weakness in hind an- 
kles the near hind would generally extend ahead of the off hind quite 
a little bit. This filly was by Welcome 2:io l / 2 , a son of Arthur Wilkes. 

A trial with the shoeing of Fig. 205 resulted in the extensions as 
given for uphill and downhill. Here again we see the sidelong extensions 
in the downhill drive. Of course, there was always the disadvantage in 
her shoeing of having to provide for a smooth hind shoe with a little 



Downhill and Uphill Trials Compared 



285 



roll to it to protect the ankles against shocks. Similar trials with 
two other cases, where there was a tendency to knuckle over with 
hind ankles, proved that the uphill trial was done in a better gait, 
because the ankles did not have to' bear the strain that the downhill 
movements will produce. Such cases form no reasonable basis for 
any deductions regarding the adjustment of shoes, but they show at 



40Z 




FIG.20S. 



toe 



402 



SO" 



50' 



2} b in. 
toe 



52' 



S2' 



Extensions 
Down Up 



5 m. 





m 



Stride 
1 1.62 ft. 1136ft. 
Dist. cor r el. feet 

3.38 ft. 3.4Sft 

Overstep 
2 44ft 2. S3- ft 




FIG. 206. 

Okf. in. 

toe 



so 



3-ty m. 

toe 



S3 



Extensions 
Down up 

0*7 




Stride 

1 1.48 ft. use ft. 

Dist.correl.feet 
3.20 ft 3.40 ft. 

Overstep 

2S5ft 2.64 ft. 



least the effect of the grade ; and this may lead perhaps to some sug- 
gestion by which the weakness may be supported. 

A high heel on the hind feet on this filly, for instance, had a 
bad effect on her gait, especially when going downhill. In Fig. 205 
we have 52 for hind heels, but at a trial with 54 and a few other 
changes, she paced and single-footed. But again, in a trial of Fig. 



286 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

206 with heavy hind shoes we find an energetic gait uphill but a rather 
distorted trot downhill, although she did not show it much to the eye. 

The average distance of the correlated feet, and the oversteps of 
hind over fore especially, showed the greater extension of the hind feet 
in this last trial as compared with the previous one, for in Fig. 205 
we have an overstep of only 2.53 ft. for the uphill stride of 11.96 ft., 
while in Fig. 206 we have an overstep of 2.64 ft. for an uphill stride 
of only 11.58 ft. 

The longer the stride the greater the overstep applies to any var- 
iation of speed for one particular shoeing and also the distance be- 
tween the extremities increases slightly at the same time. In the former 
trial we have the toe-weights as agents of greater forward extension, 
although in the uphill trial this greater extension does not obtain. The 
fact of the near hind shoe being heavier is due to her habitual greater 
extension with the off hind, but the effect was not convincing because 
of her lack of action. These toe-weights are offset somewhat, as far 
as the greater distance between fore and. hind is concerned, by the 
lower angle (52 ) of the hind feet. For, in the second trial (Fig. 
206) we have no toe-weights but also a higher angle behind (53°), 
which we may consider as not materially changing the distance be- 
tween extremities from that of the previous trial. And still, the 
greater stride (11.96) causes but a difference of 0.05 (345 — 340) 
in the separation of hind and fore as compared with that of the shorter 
stride (11,58). 

Therefore, the greater overstep in second trial must be due to the 
somewhat greater extension caused by heavier hind shoes and by lesser 
extension of the fore due to lighter shoes. This greater extension 
of hind is still better seen in the comparative downhill drives where 
the strides do not differ very much in length, and yet both the greater 
•overstep and the smaller separation of extremities occur in the second 
trial with heavy hind shoes. 

All in all, this mixed-gaited and unsatisfactory filly proved by 
her gait that any uphill drive brought out all the best that was in 
her. The reason for this was apparently her lack of action behind, 
which was improved by an uphill movement, and the fact that she had 



DownJiill and Uphill Trials Compared 



287 



weak hind ankles, which were helped by the backward incline of the 
ground ; and her consequent position enabled her to respond with 
more vigor and speed than she could on a down grade. 

However defective this little goodnatured trotter was in gait and 
in speed she served as an object of observation and was at least in my 
complete control because I owned her. Since no honest man, however 
small his station in life, is unworthy of our respect and our good will, 
so this little mare, that tried to do her level best, was not unworthy 
of some study. The observations gathered from her trials, though 
not quite satisfactory, led me to work along similar lines with other 
horses, one of which was the other filly mentioned before. 



uphill Extensions 

Fie. 190 Subsequent 

1 OQ in. J6 ,n 




Stride 
/4.36 ft. /4.23 ft. 
DisKcorrel.feet 
3.1 eft. 3.34 ft. 

Overstep 
0.99 ft 3.77 ft. 

In both these cases there was an inclination for greater extension 
on one side or the other, which is generally an indication of the pac- 
ing gait. It was seen in Fig. 190, but in the uphill trials it disappeared 
more or less. The filly had acquired a low hind action with much 
hind forward extension because of the use of smooth shoes and also 
shoes slightly on the rolling motion plan, which latter seemed to give 
her a little better hock action, but with a forward rather than a back- 
ward extension. 

Fig. 207 gives the extension of two uphill trials, one with the 



28& Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

shoeing of Fig. 190 and the other with a similar shoeing, but with 
toe-lengths varied. The second one was more satisfactory and showed 
less variations in the strides of the four legs. It was as clear a case of 
decreased variations of an uphill trial as with the other subject. In 
the former case such were more marked and showed the greater ease 
of motion uphill, and likewise with the filly now under discussion, the 
greater ease was also apparent to the eye when she went uphill. Rea- 
soning from the apparent analogy, I decided to use heavy hind shoes 
on her and simply reversed the weights of Fig. 190, putting 6 oz. in 
front and 9 oz. behind. In both these cases, the action of the hind legs 
when going uphill was the principal improvement obtained. There 
was a better equalization of the fore and hind action, and in general 
terms it may be said that the fore action decreased while the hind 
action increased in those uphill movements. 

There is no double trial of the above change of shoes on record, 
but the downhill trial shows an improvement both in the extension 
(near fore 0.075 ft. and near hind 0.12 ft. more than opposite mate, or 
respectively 0.9 inch and 1.44 inch) and in the total variations. The 
latter were: 

Fore Hind 



Near. Off. Near. Off. Total. 

345 3-30 3-35 3- J ° (13-20) 

for a stride of 14.10 ft. The hind shoes were still of the pattern with 
beveled toe and heels, which in itself was not a favorable condition. 
Another trial with unequally divided weight behind was not satisfac- 
tory, but the season was at an end. 

The next year she was first tried with heel calks on hind shoes, 
subsequently with squared toes added and finally with more weight on 
top of that. This not only extended the mare, but produced a desir- 
able and even action of the hock joint. Her strides were now over 16 
ft, and her speed steadily increased. All this was the direct result of 
the uphill trials, and although errors are evident, they were made in 
good faith. It is to avoid like errors that these records are given so at 
length to the reader. The usual dislike for heavier hind shoes caused 



Downhill and Uphill Trials Compared 289 

me to try everything else at first, but it was due to these observations 
on the uphill grade that the possibility of their benefit first suggested 
itself. 

The effects of various shoeings lor the downhill grade differ in 
many respects materially from those of the uphill movements, but 
there is a happy medium that will moderate the difficulties of both 
ways of going. Weight in front is more prohibitive of extension than 
it is behind on the downhill grade, for the front legs fold in a back- 
ward manner, while weight on hind legs with their forward unfolding 
favors extension. Weight in front on an uphill grade, however, does 
not cause so much folding of knee and is apt to slightly increase front 
extension, while behind it has the effect of increasing the hock action 
and thereby somewhat lessening the hind extension. 

Longer toes at either end will often cause trouble going uphill by 
checking the extension. In Fig. 190-B the longer front toes or longer 
fore legs — the heels having also been raised by the greater angle — • 
caused much greater total variations going uphill, as in Fig. 207-A, 
than it did downhill, as in Fig. 190-B. They were : 

Fore- 
Near. 

Uphill 4.98 

Downhill 3.51 

Besides, the stride was shorter and appeared to be a little labored. 
This check to the front extension and the fact that the hind heels were 
higher (53 in A and 52 in B), and therefore the toe leverage 
prompter in A than in B, decreased the distance between the extrem- 
ities. In the subsequent shoeing of B, with different lengths of toes, 
we have the total variations : 
Fore- 
Near. 

Uphill. 3-94 

Downhill 5.06 

which is a better handling of feet going uphill, but a change for the 
worse downhill. The somewhat equalized lengths of toes brought 



Off. 


rii 

Near. 


nu 

Off. 


Totals. 


5-75 


6.28 


6.28 


(23.29) 


2.99 


3-33 


443 


(14.26) 





Hind 




Off. 


Near. Off. 


Totals. 


4.20 


5.17 6.44 


(19.75) 


5-37 


4-77 7-75 


(22.95) 



290 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

about a greater distance between the extremities. In other words, the 
shorter toes in front caused an easier extension uphill and a less 
labored motion. This condition, though not yet satisfactory even for 
the uphill movements, proved neither an improvement for the downhill 
trial. This was therefore not the happy medium looked for in the ad- 
justment. 

When it comes to the many combinations that can be arranged for 
a better balance, we shall find that but a few will equalize the manner 
of going in both directions. The expected change shows itself in more 
or less extreme form in both trials, but the purpose of these compari- 
sons is to establish if possible a happy medium of averages, which 
would keep the animal going at its best both ways. 

This may be further illustrated by giving the extensions in Fig. 208 
of the two uphill trials of shoeing given under Figs. 106 and 107, this 
being, however, made without toe-weights. Fig. 106 shows the front 
shoes with toe-weights. For better comparison the downhill ex- 
tensions appear alongside of those made uphill. We have here a de- 
creased extension of the near fore (from 2.16 in. to 0.48 in.) and an in- 
creased extension of the off hind ((from 0.24 in. to 0.72.). In front 
this difference seems to be due to the higher angle (50 ) of the off 
fore, which gives that foot an easier leverage at toe, and this readiness 
to extend is helped by the greater weight of shoe. The fold of the 
knee is not so great as it is going downhill, hence the effect of the 
weight (9 oz.) is toward slightly greater extension. Therefore, the 
near fore with its lower angle (49 ) and lighter shoe (7 oz.) loses its 
greater extension of 2.16 in. over the off fore, and the result shows 
its extension to be but 0.48 in. over that of its opposite mate. Downhill 
that higher angle of the off fore, with its heavier shoe, had a tendency 
to increase the fold of knee and to put into elevation what force it put 
into extension going uphill. Its opposite mate, the near fore, had 
therefore the advantage of that checked extension of the off fore 
downhill and was placed ahead of the off fore. 

Let me again call attention to the main point, the most palpable 
point in fact, in the difference between the uphill and downhill loco- 
motion of the horse, by stating that the equalization of the action of 



Downhill and Uphill Trials Compared 



! 9 I 



the extremities, as seen in the upgrade movement, is due to an in- 
creased action of the hind and somewhat decreased action of the front 
legs. Downhill, therefore, we are apt to have a greater knee action 
and a lower hock action, while uphill the reverse is generally the case. 
The increased extension of the off hind in Fig. 208 is no doubt due 
to the difference in length of heels, as well as to the presumably greater 
elevation and lesser extension of the near hind. The absolute equality 
of the distance between fore and hind feet is noteworthy and shows 



fig. 20 e 

see ftp. 107. 
Downhill uphill 

2.1 6 in 48 m. 




TTH <=T\ 




Stride 
1 6. 1 2. ft. 14.61 ft 
Dist. corre/Jeet. 
3.66 ft. 3 66 ft. 

Overstep 
4.ZlfT. 3S5ft. 



FIG. 209 

see fig. /3 
Downhill —~^ Uphill 

.36 in. .72 in. 





crrj rr^> 



Stride 
IS 5S ft. I5.60ft j 
Disf.correl. feet 

3.90ft. 3.9Qft 

Overstep 
3.90 fr. 3.do ft. 



how this separation increases going uphill, for the greater stride of 
16.12 ft. should have, as a rule, the greater separation as well as the 
greater overstep. The variations of the strides were much greater 
going uphill than downhill, in fact, so great that their comparison with 
those of the downhill movement proved that the shoeing was not quite 
satisfactory. 

In Fig. 209 we have the extensions of the shoeing of Figs. 113 and 
114. The difference in toe-lengths besides in weights is here to be con- 
sidered. The shorter toe of off fore (3^4 in.) and its lower angle 



292 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

(48 ) and heavier shoe (11 oz.) do not offset the longer toe (sH in.), 
higher heel (49 ) and lighter shoe (9 oz.) of the near fore as far as 
extension goes. For, the extension of near fore increases to twice the 
distance (0.72 in.), although this is small in either case. It shows that 
the higher heel (49 ) of near gives a better leverage to the longer 
toe than the lower heel (48 ) gives to the shorter toe and heavier shoe 
of the off fore. Behind the shorter toe (354 in.) of the near and 
its greater weight (8 oz.) gives an easier leverage and a greater ex- 
tension (1.92 in.) than the longer toe (3^ in.) and lighter shoe (6 oz.) 
of the off hind, the angles being the same. 

A notable agreement in these two trials may be seen in the equal- 
ity of the strides both ways (15.60 — 15-59), which gives occasion to 
call attention to the general rule that the separation of the extremities 
is greater in the uphill movement (3.98) than it is in the downhill 
movement (3.90), and also that the overstep in the latter (3.90) is 
greater than it is in the former (3.80). These differences are no 
doubt due to two causes, namely, the better backward extension of 
the hind and also, to a lesser extent, the better or easier forward ex- 
tension of the fore. 

In the uphill movement the fore enter more largely as drivers of 
the equine machine, which function is .generally taken up by the hind 
members in both directions; but the fore do at the same time reach 
forward with greater vigor on account of that incline uphill. And so 
the general difference of effects between uphill and downhill motion 
may be summed up as follows : 

Downhill. 

1. Higher action in front and lower action behind. 

2. Greater and easier forward extension of hind. 

3. Greater effort in forward extension of fore. 

4. Naturally longer stride for a given speed. 

5. Greater and easier approach of fore and hind. 

6. Leverage at toe less dependent on a greater angle of foot. 

7. Greater length of whole foot increasing extension. 

8. Weight of front shoe increasing action and slightly decreasing 
extension. 



Downhill and Uphill Trials Compared 293 

9. Weight of hind shoe increasing extension and decreasing action. 
10. Toe-weights increasing extension of fore. 

Uphill. 

1. Lower action in front and higher action behind. 

2. Greater and easier backward extension of hind. 

3. Less effort and easier forward extension of fore. 

4. Naturally shorter stride for the same speed. 

5. Greater and easier separation of fore and hind. 

6. Leverage at toe more dependent on a greater angle of foot. 

7. Greater length of whole foot decreasing extension. 

8. Weight of front shoe decreasing action and slightly increasing 
extension. 

9. Weight of hind shoe decreasing extension and increasing action. 
10. Toe-weights decreasing extension of fore. 

In these contrasts the shape of the shoes will, of course, have a 
modifying influence such as has been discussed before and as may be 
left to the requirements of each individual horse. 

While these general principles hold true for various kinds of 
horses, it must be admitted that the combinations regarding gait and 
general make-up, as found in each horse, are very varied and may 
therefore require special adjustments. This exposition of the gait of 
our harness horse, with its illustrative experiments, should, however, 
lead to a solution of balance in every case, provided the method by 
which the gait of each horse can be analyzed is employed every time. 
In all questions of balance it should be borne in mind that any defi- 
ciency of gait is either absolute or relative ; that is to say, the absence 
of a desirable quality or capacity is either lacking entirely, or it is com- 
pensated by a strongly developed quality or capacity elsewhere in the 
total make-up of the horse. If there is no such compensation, then the 
harmony of motion is seriously and perhaps permanently affected, and 
it will be difficult to establish any sort of an equilibrium between the 
parts of such a disordered mechanism. 

In conclusion, I wish to point out again the three conditions that 
each track presents in more or less varied degree, and which affect the 
^balance of the horse. These are: the soil, the turns and the grades. 



294 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

The first of these concerns the shape of the shoe, and the last two 
relate to the shape of the foot. Certain tracks suit some horses better 
than others, and such a fact may be explained by the effect which such 
conditions have on their deficient gait. The soil, turns and grades may 
all, or any one of them, prove to be compensations for such deficiencies 
in that horse. If not too marked, these conditions can be counteracted 
by a searching test of proper balance on the home track. 

Leaving the condition of the soil to the good sense and judgment 
of the owners of tracks, and referring again to the discussion of the 
turns of the track in Chapter VI, I wish to lay particular stress now 
on the results of the downhill and uphill trials here set forth. It 
seemed to me very important to base many experiments and their deduc- 
tions on such a slightly downhill course, because often the stretches of 
the tracks have such an incline, and especially so the homestretch. 
Here we see the supreme effort of the horse, so that all adjustment of 
balance should take into account such a probable event. Such a test 
seems to conform more truly to the actual and practical conditions met 
with at other places and at critical moments. 

It may happen that the adjustment of shoes which worked 
well at home will not meet the requirements of different and strange 
conditions quite as readily abroad. It was with such occurrences in 
mind that these comparisons between uphill and downhill locomotion 
were made. The main object, after all, in balancing, is to be prepared 
for all or nearly all conditions, except those of a notoriously rough 
track. This preparedness for conditions differing from those that ob- 
tain at the home track is also largely a matter of education with the 
horse. For, the foundation of such a training should at all times be the 
confidence of the horse in himself, and this self-reliance — as it might 
almost be called — is not only fostered but also directly produced by 
an equalization of the action of both fore and hind such as was here 
set forth. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE MAIN FEATURES OF MEASUREMENTS. 



To save time and to bring this method of measuring the tracks 
within the reach of all progressive trainers, its principal points are 
here given in as concise a manner as possible. 

A square gait must be based on equal or nearly equal extensions 
of the four moving feet. The separation of the fore and hind legs 
should be based on their distance from each other when at rest. If 
this distance appears to be reasonable to the eye, and if the attitude of 
the horse at rest is fairly satisfactory, it may be taken as a basis for 
comparison with such average distance when at speed. Shoeing may 
throw this distance between the extremities, or rather between the cor- 
related feet, out of harmony with effective motion. Pointing forward 
or backward, when at rest, may be increased when at speed. Muscular 
development may hinder the animal to get into a good swinging gait, 
but the wrong kind of balance is more often at fault. The "pointing" 
of a horse when at rest and the distance between the fore and the hind 
feet are therefore the principles on which are based the proper ex- 
tensions of the legs. The moment, however, the animal moves fast, 
our eyes become deficient in judgment and we must resort to the rec- 
ords on the ground for any reasonable deductions. 

For the sake of simplicity the lateral extensions of the feet, that 
is, their positions with reference to a line drawn midway between the 
two sulky wheel tracks, can be left to the judgment of the eye. A 
white cord stretched in the middle will perhaps be sufficient to indicate 
irregularities without going to the trouble of measuring and averaging 
all the distances and angles. But we cannot very well escape the labor 
of measuring the distances between certain feet if we desire to have 
any proper idea of the possible defects of a gait. 

The ioo-foot tape line divided into tenths and twentieths of a foot 

295 



296 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



must be used again ; that is, 1/10 being = 0.10 and 1/20 = 0.05 in the 
decimal notation. A glance at the tracks of the feet directly after a trial 
Fig. 210. Fig. 211. Fig. 212. 



vo 

of 

of 

( n 
vo 

oA 
of 

Vo 

oA 
oj 

Vo 



nA 
*>/ 

n ) 
O/ 

vf 

O/ 

nn 
nf 

OJ 
nA 

n ) 

nA 



0/ 



pf 



JTinh 

oTtVi 



A 



nh 
,h"T7 



it 



t£ 



T7 



nh 

JOT 



*I 



oh 

w 



nh 



oh 



nh 



f 



will readily show if the "overstep" in the trot, for instance, is of equal 
length on both sides. The fore and the hind on either side will be seen 



The Main Features of Measurements 297 

close together in both the trot and the pace. In the trot it shows the 
overreaching of the hind, in the pace it shows the distance of the lateral 
feet as they move together. Fig. 210 gives the overstep of the trot in 
brackets. The distances need not be computed, but may serve as an 
immediate indication of unequal extensions if they appear unequal. 
This is easily detected by the eye, because they are close enough together 
to discover it at a glance as we walk along the line. If these distances, 
therefore, are unequal, or very much greater on one side, we suspect 
that either the hind foot points forward too much or that the fore 
points back too far ; in other words, that the swing of those two legs is 
not the same. The shorter distance of the overstep on the opposite side 
would point to the other extreme, namely, that the hind leg lacked for- 
ward extension or that the fore had excessive forward extension. Let 
us consult the diagram showing the distances from one fore to its op- 
posite mate and from one hind to its opposite mate (Fig. 211). The 
illustration presumes the regularity of extensions, but it may become 
more apparent from Fig. 212 (which notes the distances between the 
diagonal feet in the trot) that, even though the overstep may be un- 
equal on both sides, the distance between the diagonal feet may be the 
same for both pairs of feet. For if, for instance, the overstep on the 
right side is one foot longer than on the left side or the overstep on 
the left side correspondingly shorter, it is still possible for the dis- 
tances of the diagonal feet to be the same. 

In Fig. 212 we may think of the block contained within the top and 
bottom cross-lines and the diagonal line connecting the correlated feet 
of the trot as being moved up toward the block holding the other pair 
of correlated feet, and thereby increase the overstep on the right side 
and diminish the same on the left side without changing the equality 
of these diagonal distances so moved. AH this, however, amounts to a 
preliminary inspection of the tracks. The real test lies in the measure- 
ments and the averages. Taking, for instance, an actual trial where 
the stride was 18. 1 ft. and the oversteps were found to be: 

Near side : 5.24 ft. 

Off side : 4.42 ft. 
we have a difference of 0.82 ft, or 9.84 inches as an excess on near side. 



2gS Gait of tlic Americaji Trotter and Pacer 

It was caused by a greater extension of one pair of correlated feet, 
namely, the off fore and the near hind. The greater forward extension 
of the off fore over that of the near fore was 0.38 ft., or 4.56 in., and 
the greater forward extension of near hind over that of off hind was 
0.43 ft. or 5.16 in. In spite of this difference of extensions, we find 
the distances between the diagonal feet nearly alike, viz. : 

Near fore — off hind : 4.25 ft. 
Off fore — near hind : 4.20 ft. 

which makes a difference of 0.05 ft. or 0.6., a negligible quantity in the 
gait. This difference appears above when we take the difference be- 
tween the extensions of the fore and the hind legs, which is, as above, 
0.43 ft. — 0.38 ft. = 0.05 ft., or 0.6 in. ; but a gait of this sort is apt to 
cause interference on the side of the overactive hind leg, as in this 
case the near hind. 

The same subject gives a better example of a trot in a later trial. 
Here we have a stride of 18.64 ft. and a smaller distance of 3.82 ft. 
as the average separation between the fore and the hind feet. Once 
more I desire to bring before the reader the table containing the con- 
tinuous measurements with the 100-ft. tape line. It presents the fol- 
lowing figures, which are easily read off the ground and jotted down 
in the note book : 





Fore 


Hind 




Fore 


Hind 




Fore 


Kind 


n 


— 


5-4o 


n 


130.65 


136.50 


n 


261.50 


267.10 





9.40 


14.95 





140.40 


146.05 





270.85 


276.55 


n 


18.90 


24.25 


n 


149.60 


i55.io 


n 


280.15 


285.65 





28.20 


33-6o 





158.90 


164.55 





289.25 


294-75 


n 


37.45 


42.85 


n 


168.30 


173.75 


n 


298.55 


304.20 





46.75 


52-30 





177.65 


183-25 





308.10 


313-30 


n 


56.15 


61.65 


n 


187.00 


192.55 


n 


317.10 


322.45 





65.45 


71.10 





196.30 


202.00 





326.35 


331.90 


n 


74-95 


80.45 


n 


205.45 


210.75 


n 


336.00 


340.85 





84-25 


89-95 





214.50 


220.55 





344.90 


350=30 


n 


93-65 


99-05 


n 


224.65 


229.65 


n 


354-25 


359.5o 





102.80 


108.55 





233.55 


239-05 





363.50 


368.95 


n 


112.40 


117.85 


n 


242.75 


248.25 


n 


372.85 


378.35 





121.50 


126.80 





252.00 


257.90 





382.20 


387.60 



The Main Featitres of Measurements 



299 



The 1 00- ft. tape line was therefore stretched four times to take 
the desired 20 strides. From toe to toe the figures are taken down as 
they are found, taking care now and then to see that the feet on the 
ground correspond with those in the note book. To get at the length 
of the stride quickly we may divide the twentieth near fore measure- 
ment (372.85) by twenty, which is 18.64 ft. If we care to find the 
total variations from the average we will have to find the twenty 
strides of each leg and line them up in four columns, with the varia- 
tions or differences in plus and minus from the average. The complete 
table is found in the investigation of Lou Dillon's gait. Here we shall 
not enter upon the matter. 

The next step would be to find the distances from one fore to the 
opposite fore and from one hind to the opposite hind. This will not be 
difficult to find from the table of measurements, and for the four legs 
it reads as follows : 





Fore 




Hind 


off to near near to off 


off to near near to off 


9.50 


9.30 


9-3o 


9-35 


9-25 


9-30 


9-25 


9-45 


9.40 


9-3o 


9-35 


9-45 


9-5o 


9-3o 


9.35 


9.50 


9.40 


9.i5 


9.10 


9-5o 


9.60 


9.10 


9-3o 


8.95* 


9-i5 


> 9-75* 


9.70* 


9-55 


9.20 


9-30 


9.05* 


9-45 


9.40 


9-35 


9.20 


9.50 


9-35 


9-3o 


9-3o 


9-45 


9-i5 


9-05 


8.75* 


9.80* 


10.15* 


8.90* 


9.10 


9.40 


9.20 


9-25 


9.20 


9.65* 


9-5o 


9-35 


9.20 


9-45 


9-3o 


9.10 


9.10 


9.10 


9-3o 


9-55 


9-45 


9.10 


9.00* 


9.25 


9-i5 


9-45 


9.65* 


8.90* 


8.95 


9-45 


9-35 


9-25 


9.20 


9-45 


9-35 


9-35 


9.40 


9.25 


20)187.70 


20)185.10 


20)184.40 


20)188.25 


9-38 


9-25 


9.22 


9.41 



4- 0.13 (Average: 9.318 ft., or 9.32 ft.) -f" 0.10 



300 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

The average distance between the fore and between the hind is 
9.32 ft., which is one-half of the stride, 18.64 ft- I n an equal gait the 
sum total of the two fore extensions, as well as that of the two hind 
extensions, equals, or nearly equals, the length of the stride: 9.32 X 2 
= 18.64; an d even in a gait of unequal extensions the sum of both fore 
and both hind extensions generally equals the stride. But the average 
extension of each foot does not make up one-half of the stride of that 
particular leg in the above trial; that is to say, 9.38 X 2, or 18.76, is 
not the stride of the near fore and so on. The difference between the 
fore and between the hind extensions must be averaged for each pair ; 
that is to say, the near fore in its position with reference to the off fore 
is <LA** ft. ahead of the position of the latter, or 0.065 ft. = 0.78 inch, 
and likewise the off hind precedes the near hind with an average dis- 
tance between it and the near hind of 019 ft., or 1.14 in. The stride 
of each leg averages the same, namely, 18.64 ft., for, if it did not, 
then the horse would not trot, but break into a run. 

We notice, therefore, a slightly greater extension of the off hind 
over that of its diagonal or correlated mate, the near fore, which is 
1. 14 — 0.78, or 0.36 in., which will appear as the difference between the 
averages of the distance of the two pairs of diagonal feet. 

Again taking up the table of continuous measurements, as they 
were put down from the actual trial, we can easily ascertain these 
diagonal distances by subtracting the figures of each hind leg on the 
right side from its mate on line diagonally below. Starting, as usual, 
with the first stride of near fore (18.90),. we take from it the preced- 
ing measurement of the off hind (14.95) an d put down in the column 
marked "near fore — off hind" the difference of 3.95. Proceeding to 
the next stride of off fore, or rather its measurement of 28.90 ft., we 
take from it the measurement of its preceding near hind, 24.25 ft., 
which gives us 3.95 again for the distance between the other pair of 
correlated or diagonal feet marked "off fore — near hind." Carrying 
this out for the twenty strides, we have the following table : 



The Main Features of Measurements 



301 



Near Fore — C 


3-95 


3.85 


3-85 


3.85 


3.70 


3.85 


3.85 


3-55* 


3.75 


3-75 


3-45 


4.10* 


3-7o 


3.60 


3.60 


3.80 


3.80 


4.10* 


3-95 


3-90 


2o)75-95 


3.80 



I Hind Off Fore 

Average 
3.82 



Near Hind 



% 



3-95 
3.90 
3.80 
3.80 
3-75 
3.65 5 
3-90 
3.80 

3.90 
3-75 
3-75 
3-90 
3-75 
3-75 
3.60 

3-90 
3-9o 

4-05 
4.00 

3.85 

20) 76.65 
3.83 
-f- 0.03 or 0.36 in. 



The asterisks in this and the preceding table are meant to call at- 
tention to the lack or the excess of such distances, showing that they 
are not always the same. As before mentioned, the average of each 
total is the only reliable test as to any deficiencies. 

From these tables we are, therefore, able to judge of the ex- 
tensions of the four moving feet. The small difference in the two 
diagonal distances being only 0.36 in., becomes negligible in the estimate 
of the gait; that is to say, when the greater extensions of two cor- 
related feet are not excessive and nearly the same (0.16 and 0.19), the 
gait of the horse so examined is practically a square one. If the time 
or labor of the calculations from the continuous measurements is con- 
fined only to the first table, namely, that of the extensions of the fore 
and of the hind with reference to their opposite mates, it would almost 



302 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

be enough to get an idea of any existing irregularity of the gait in 
question. If, therefore, the trainer does nothing else but take down 
the straight measurements and establish the extensions illustrated by 
Fig. 2 II-, he will have a quick and fairly good analysis of the gait in 
question ; always provided that he also uses the white cord as a middle 
line of reference as to the various good or faulty positions of the feet, 
and observes the character of the impressions left on the ground. For, 
the nature of the concussions of the shoe with the ground may give 
further clews as to any impediments caused by a wrong adjustment in 
the shoeing. 

As in the trot, so in the pace, the most important measurements 
or distances are those between the opposite fore and the opposite hind, 
and those between the lateral or correlated feet. For, the latter cor- 
respond to the diagonal pairs in the trot and should likewise be equal 
in distance for both sides. Figs. 213 and 214 give the positions of feet 
and the distances to be measured. The proceeding is the same as that 
in the trotting trial, with the exception that the hind feet follow in- 
stead of precede the fore feet on the ground. All resulting tables of 
the various measurements have, therefore, the first column marked 
"hind" and the second "fore," the reverse of those for the trot. Not 
having a good example for an illustration, I leave the matter to the 
reader, who will no doubt be able to figure on the same lines as given 
in the trot, always remembering the reversing of hind feet, which fol- 
low the fore in the pace. 

In urging trainers to keep records of the various shoeings and of 
the trials so measured, I advocate but the prevailing methods of any 
business or undertaking, where reference to past events serve as in- 
structions for improvements. Without records no work of any sort 
can possibly be progressive and satisfactory. We must avoid mistakes 
to get along better than before. All changes and results must be on rec- 
ord so that reference can be made to them at any time. Angles and 
lengths of toes should be accurately repeated at each shoeing, unless 
there is a valid reason for a change. Changes should be gradual, and 
time be allowed for the effect of a change. Equal angles for the fore 
and equal angles for the hind feet, as well as equal lengths of toes, 



The Main Features of Measurements 



303 



should form the basis from which to start an investigation of this 

sort ; and the shape of the shoes should only then vary from the simple, 

Fig. 213 Fro. 214. 



t 



oh 



£ 



oh 



nh 



"f 

nh 



I 



of 
oh 



nh 



£ 



2£ 



i 

oh 



S" 



H 



"f 
h 



sane and safe variety when necessity seems to demand a particular 
shoe. The same is true of unequal weights which the gait of a horse 
may at times require. Vigilance at the shoeing and accuracy in the 



304 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

trials when taking the few measurements and observations 6ft the 
ground so gone over, should soon lead not only to a quicker under- 
standing of the gait in question, but also to better results in balancing 
the horse. Even if the remedy is not readily at hand — and I do not 
claim to have furnished specific remedies — there remains this method 
of finding out the conditions of the gait ; and the general principles as 
demonstrated will finally lead to the proper remedies for a faulty gait. 



pH 







5 b£ 



6* 



o 



2 ^ 

aj s-c 



X 



CHAPTER XL 



A PLEA FOR A USEFUL. TROTTER AND 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



" * * * Wherever the trotting horse goes, he carries in his 
train brisk omnibuses, lively bakers' carts (and therefore hot rolls), 
the jolly butcher's wagon, the cheerful gig, the wholesome afternoon 
drive with wife and child, all the forms of moral excellence — except 
truth, which does not agree with any kind of horseflesh. The racer 
brings with him gambling, cursing, swearing, drinking, the eating of 
oysters, and a distaste for the mobcaps and the middle-aged virtues." 

— Oliver Wendell Holmes. 

Thus prophetically did charming old Dr. Holmes sound the praise, 
years ago, of a class of horses that our nation can really be proud of 
at the present time. It is well to have so broadminded a man of science, 
and a poet besides, make this radical distinction between the trotter 
and the thoroughbred running horse. Even though he calls in ques- 
tion the truthfulness 'not of the trotter himself but of the men who use 
him, he emphasizes his greater usefulness and sets it off against the 
results following from the devotion to a mere pleasure animal, the 
machine in motion used to satisfy a craving for gambling and all its 
attendant evils as enumerated. 

Usefulness here means that a horse not only should be able to do 
a lot of work, but also that he should perform it with intelligence. 
The more intelligent a horse is, the longer will he last and the better 
will be his services. The great docility of the desert Arab proves that 
a close contact with man molds the mind and disposition of the horse. 
Every breeder has had similar experiences. Our nation is raising 
level-headed trotters because the American breeder and trainer are 

305 



306 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

level-headed. I lay great stress on the moral evolution of the Ameri- 
can trotting stock, for without courage, without will power, without 
good manners, without obedience, without a high intelligence, the pres- 
ent prominence of the trotter could not have been attained. These . 
essential qualities, so important in the life of a horse, are mainly the 
work of our American breeder. By education and by public speed 
contests the standard bred horse has gone through an evolution that 
more and more establishes a breed of horses typically American. It is 
but rational that horses should publicly prove their strength and en- 
durance and, though speed is made the only test of eligibility for reg- 
istration, the contests demand a showing of qualities that will insure 
progenitors of a robust race of horses. 

Of late years the treatment of the trotter has been more or less on 
lines of usefulness. Barring the heaviest kind of work, we have 
among the representatives of the standard bred horse satisfactory ma- 
terial for nearly all purposes in the country as well as in the city, on 
the farm as well as on the track. Whether in front of the carriage, 
buggy, spring wagon, delivery wagon, or the implements of the field 
and orchard, we have had ample evidence that the American standard 
bred horse "fills the bill," because he has the disposition and the in- 
telligence for such work. Some of our greatest trotters were bred by 
small breeders. No truer words were ever written than these : that 
the brood-mare, to show great results, must be "under the hands of the 
breeder ; he zuorks and feeds her well. All the secret of his breeding 
lies in these few zvords." My own experience and observation corro- 
borate this truth. At bottom of all horse breeding stands the small 
farm with its one or two choice broodmares. The small breeder is the 
backbone of all breeding interests, and if the American trotter is to 
fulfill his mission of becoming a national type, appreciated everywhere 
for his intelligence, strength and quality, it would be well to frame 
his qualifications on other requirements than just speed alone. We 
need size and weight in the trotter if the animal is to be a useful one. 
He should not become a mere racing machine or a rich man's toy. In 
this republic of ours the trotting turf, is democratic and the exhibitions 
of speed are "of the people, for the people, and by the people." Great 



A Plea for a Useful Trotter 307. 

trotters and pacers, like great men, often spring from lowly surround- 
ings, where work and frugality impart vim to the offspring, and where 
the unremitting care and the personal attention of the owner build up 
the health and energy and the confidence of the animal. As a wine- 
grower I would venture the comparison that great trotters are like 
great wines — for the" can be raised and properly matured only in 
small lots. 

The key to the whole problem of interesting all breeders — in- 
cluding the farmer who breeds most horses — in the harness contests 
lies in a more adequate classification of our standard bred horse. The 
mere "2 130 standard" is often unsatisfactory to practical breeders be- 
cause it sets no limit to the smallness of the horse, and because it 
represents or encourages qualities for racing rather than for useful 
purposes. Every useful horse should combine size with quality, in- 
telligence with endurance, and weight with vigor ; and the develop- 
ment of our standard bred horse should be encouraged along such 
lines of utility. 

It is not here intended to disparage in any manner the importance 
of the "2 130 standard" or the great work of the Trotting Register, 
which by the genius of the late John H. Wallace has given the breed 
of the harness horse a certain foundation and direction. There was 
and is great need of just such a guiding principle to develop and es- 
tablish this type of a horse, and it has proved to be of inestimable 
value to this industry. In fact, it would be far better for harness 
racing and the whole development of the harness horse if only regis- 
tered horses were allowed to start in races. 

The Register takes the place of government supervision to some 
extent or of the registration of stallions as practiced on the continent. 
Progressive development, however, seems to call for a better criterion 
than a test of speed only. A standard based on speed alone is apt 
to disregard and even eliminate size and weight as hindrances to its 
end. As many harness horses show and possess these qualities it 
seems but fair that they should be recognized by reason of their use- 
fulness ; and an allowance for such a handicap should be made by 
means of a more equitable classification of the standard bred horse* 



308 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

If, therefore, the trotter is to be a useful horse his development should 
be along broader lines, so that all breeders of the harness horse may 
have a chance to obtain full justice for their efforts in the breeding of 
heavier harness horses. 

While for the light trotter 2:30 is a comparatively slow record, 
it becomes a much more difficult feat for the heavier trotter; and 
simple justice to all breeders demands that weight and size be made 
conditions of registration, so that not only the merits of the individual 
could be more readily recognized, but also the speed contests would 
present more uniformity of classes. It is to be hoped that such a plan 
will meet with the approval of the breeders in general, because it seems 
to put the breeding of the harness horse on a more systematic and 
sensible basis. A threefold division, therefore, into light, medium 
and heavy horses, such as (1), 8001000 lbs., and up to 15^ hands 
tall; (2), 1000- 1200 lbs., and from 15^ to i6>4 hands tall, and (3), 
1 200- 1400 lbs. and over i6 l / 2 hands tall — there being also provided 
three respective standards of speed for these divisions, namely, 2:15, 
2 :20 and 2 130, to make the individual horse eligible for registration — 
would not only make speed contests more interesting for the spectator, 
but would also grade our harness horse into proper groups for judg- 
ment and selection. As it is now, all discriminating foreigners com- 
ment unfavorably on our greatly mixed lot of standard bred horses 
of all sizes, looks and weights. They maintain that we have no 
definite type of a harness horse, and when they buy our horses it 
will be noticed that their selection is along lines of strength, size and 
quality besides speed. 

Like the recent innovation of handicapping by distances at the 
start according to record or trial speed, this reasonable classification 
would also prove to be an advancement of the cause. It would induce 
many breeders to remain loyal to the standard bred horse who are 
apt to turn to other types for weight and size, and would enable many 
progressive secretaries to vary their programs and thus enhance the 
general interest in the speed trials. 

We do not want speed alone, for that the running horse has to a 
far greater extent, and we know that the excitement of speed alone 



A Plea for a Useful Trot lev 309 

brings in its wake much betting and gambling. The running horse or 
thoroughbred has become merely a card in a game of chance. The 
harness horse, on the other hand, is still admired as an individual. As 
long as the public interest is centered on the horse rather than on the 
betting, and as long as the individual horse remains an attractive ob- 
ject at the races, a bright future for the American harness horse is 
assured. It has ever been my opinion that harness racing or speed 
contests could and should be conducted entirely without any public 
betting system, because for such events should be enlisted the best 
element of society. Throngs of women and children will then grace 
the exhibitions with their delightful presence, and your strict business 
man will unbend and be less critical in his judgment of legitimate, 
clean sport. It may be argued that betting, or taking a chance on the 
outcome of an event, is inherent in human nature. Differences of 
opinions and the conceit of one's judgment are the elements that 
underlie this spirit of chance ; but to arouse this human trait to con- 
tinual action by a system of which men make a business, is to under- 
mine all honest labor and enterprise. It is this "business" ( ?) of 
betting. that has made continuous racing possible. Continuous racing 
is an evil like immoderate drinking, and there is no doubt that the 
"merry-go-round" across our Bay here was largely responsible for 
much crime, and especially for the numerous embezzlements occurring 
in this community. 

The consequent prejudice against all racing hits harness contests 
as well. The only way to gain the favor of the general and the better 
public is to abolish all systems of betting. Out here in the Far West, 
where matters in general are still a bit "wild and woolly," gambling still 
holds sway, and the running horse often shares the track with the 
barness horse, much to the latter's detriment. Continuous racing has 
vitiated the people's taste for the trotter and pacer. This state has the 
climate and the soil to produce the best type of a standard bred horse, 
but distances are great between the important towns, and the popula- 
tion comparatively thin, and railroad transportation slow, and inade- 
quate entirely. In consequence, meetings are few and far between — ■ 
like angels' visits; and yet California has become famous for her trot- 



310 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

ters and pacers. The reader will pardon me if I mention that among 
them is a trio bred by me: Margaret Worth 2:15, El Milagro 2:09^ 
and Constancia 2 124^, all out of my first brood mare Adeline Patti. 

The point of utility, entering so largely and justly into the breed-, 
ing of the trotter, should make it possible for the farmer to breed the 
stouter and heavier ones as types of horses fit for his own purposes 
and for the demands of town and city. There seems to be a gulf, 
however, between the tiller of the soil and the so-called harness horse 
man, which the latter's insistence on speed has considerably widened. 
Some thought should be given to size and weight in order to reconcile 
these two classes of men for their mutual benefit. I can not, there- 
fore, recommend too urgently the necessity of making of the harness 
horse a useful one besides one that has speed. This plea is especially 
aimed at the trotter, because the. pacer has proved to me in this hilly 
city — my native town — that for purposes of draft his locomotion is not 
as effective as that of the trotter. In fact, up and down the steep 
grades of these streets the pacer is at a decided disadvantage along- 
side of the trotter, and hence his usefulness is more limited. 

The attendance and the support of the agricultural as well as the 
urban population rests upon the broad ground of a common interest: 
the useful trotter. Besides, the secretaries of the various associations 
that give meetings or exhibits might find it to their advantage to pre- 
sent a greater variety of speed contests and shows. The initiative, 
therefore, taken by Secretary Charles M. Jewett of Readville, Massa- 
chusetts, in instituting the first American Trotting Derby, is worth 
noting. To lay particular stress on so promising an event, the picture 
of the winner, Allen Winter 2:0634, appears on the last page of this 
book. 

The views here expressed are those of a spectator in the grand- 
stand, with no other desire than to be amused and to get his money's 
worth of keen enjoyment by a varied and promptly executed program 
of events. There is, for instance, the annoying delay of the flying 
start, which ought to be modified. Repeated scoring is the bane of 
harness racing. A race should be promptly called as well as promptly 
started. 



A Pica J r or a Use fid Trotter 311 

The handicapping system is likely to become popular not only be- 
cause it enables the so-called outclassed horses to win a little money on 
the circuit of meetings, but also because it is apt to do away with the 
monotony of the single-file races, where certain fast horses keep at the 
head of the processions, thanks to the method of closing the entries 
very early in the season. The "glorious uncertainty" of the sport is 
increased by the handicap system and will not fail to draw a large and 
eager crowd. Even here I must plead for the recognition of size and 
substance in the horse as being the very features that constitute the 
usefulness of the harness horse ; and in handicapping it might be feas- 
ible to take into consideration these admirable qualities and the accom- 
panying capacity to pull weight, as compared with the lack of such 
traits in the much speedier horse. 

There is, however, more to harness racing than even such a well- 
managed innovation as a handicap race, and that is the absolute en- 
forcement of that set of rules by which all harness races are, or at 
least should be, conducted. If these rules are just and fair, and tend 
to protect the vital interests of harness racing, they should be strictly 
enforced. If not, then they should be abolished or amended. But in 
no event should such rules be ignored by any official, whatever the 
custom so arrogated. I have in mind a flagrant instance of arbitrary 
authority assumed by two secretaries. The repeal of an objectionable 
rule lies in a proper procedure before a meeting; but nothing so under- 
mines harness racing, or any other sport, in the eyes of honest men, as 
the questionable rulings or arbitrary decisions of indifferent or partial 
officials, be these the judges, timers, starters, secretaries or members of 
the Boards of Review. Against such decrees an upright trainer or 
owner has but little redress, except it be the .usually ineffectual proc- 
ess of an appeal. For, in most cases the decision of a previous inquiry 
will be sustained on the general principle of harmonious concurrence ! 

Our harness horse of to-day, with his two gaits of trotting and 
pacing, tends to prove that the inheritance of acquired qualities is a 
larger factor in the laws of heredity than men of science have been 
willing to admit. We have apparently better gaited and better man- 
nered trotters and pacers to-day than we had fifty years ago. Besides, 



312 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

the gaits seem to come more easily to them, and the speed, though 
greater, is not any more exhausting or detrimental to their vitality. 
This whole investigation, with its method of getting at the locomotion 
of the horse, is in line with the endeavor to transmit by heredity such 
an acquired trait as a square gait. Unless we assume it to be true 
that qualities acquired during the lifetime of an individual are stamped, 
in a greater or lesser degree, upon the offspring, all breeders would 
become rather despondent in their efforts. All mankind, in fact, would 
despair of a better state of affairs in this world years hence. Lately 
as eminent an investigator as Luther Burbank, our own wizard of plant 
life, has voiced his opinion on the heredity of acquired qualities, be- 
lieving with Dr. William Darwin, son of the great scientist and origi- 
nator of the theory of evolution, that such may be transmitted. It is 
intended, I believe, to convey the impression that such qualities will 
not appear as fully developed ones, but rather in the form of an apti- 
tude, which under proper direction and training will show a more 
natural inclination by reason of such transmission. This latent fitness 
for the trot or the pace may therefore be assumed to be the result of 
development in both parents. The gait of the trot is even more of an 
acquired quality than that of the pace. We have had guideless pacers, 
but not yet a guideless trotter ; and yet, the trotter driven with loose lines 
seems to indicate that such evolution, even in so short a time, has per- 
fected the motions of the trot through successive training and by the 
mating of developed individuals. 

In view of such intelligent and progressive development of our 
harness horse, one can hardly agree with the opinion of a recent writer 
who takes the stand that a horse, in general, is an unreasoning coward 
that should be thoroughly deceived and intimidated in order to make 
of him a tolerably safe servant of man. It was there argued that we 
attribute imaginary qualities to the horse, which he does not possess. 
The only trait that he is credited with is his home instinct. He has 
no courage, no faithfulness, no willingness to serve, but has only the 
sense of fear largely developed. We are advised to work on his fear 
so as to remain masters ; otherwise we shall be bullied or even injured. 
It seems to me that such a view, if it were true, would widely en- 



A Plea for a Useful Trotter 313 

courage cruelty. Even in the human family, control by intimidation is 
too often resorted to and smothers the best traits of character. Above 
all, it kills self-reliance. It is so with the horse, for fear of punish- 
ment is not apt to develop courage in a horse any more than it does in 
man. 

A physical coward may be pardoned when his stature gives him a 
disadvantage in a fight, but a moral coward has not even the excuse 
that a horse has, namely, that of being in ownership and subjection 
bound to one man. So why talk of fear being the only motive of the 
good service of a horse? In nine cases out of ten when there is any- 
thing wrong with a horse the man behind will prove not only to be the 
coward, but also the fool, in this combination of owner and servant. 
All animals should be ruled with a firm though gentle hand ; but there 
is evidence enough among harness horses of the folly of the education 
by fear or intimidation. This arraignment of the horse on the score of 
fear and general stupidity is sadly out of harmony with the results 
attained from the training of our harness horse. 

Had this animal been treated on the general principle of intimida- 
tion we could not to-day boast of the achievements in the development 
of the harness horse. While obedience may carry within it some fear, 
it is more largely a matter of feeding and housing, and hence a conse- 
quent habit on the part of the horse, and this habit is the more easily 
confirmed if the horse is treated well and without intimidation. While 
the character and disposition of the horse varies in the individual, as it 
does in the human family, the majority of the horses can be improved 
by gentleness rather than by cruelty. I cannot even grant the demand 
that the domineering habit of man should at least be allowed to spend 
itself on animals instead of on defenseless women and children. For, 
men who have this lust of power should be restrained by law in either 
case, and should be legally prevented from training our harness horses. 

The great success of the trainers of the harness horse seems to 
disprove such a course of treatment. Although the difficulties con- 
fronting the trainer are many, he has time and again overcome them 
by his level-headedness and his patience. Sometimes he achieves 
fame because of his perseverance with one horse, at other times be- 



314 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 

cause he selects horses that suit him in temperament anl in gait ; and 
again, but more rarely, because he is successful with all kinds of horses. 
We cannot always be choosers, and the last reason proves the adapta- 
bility of the man. This is a position calling for a great deal of study 
and investigation of the question of balancing. In such cases this 
book may be of some assistance. Its investigations may not always 
appear to be as conclusive and complete as desired, but in his work 
on this subject the writer was at least guided by the simple principle: 
a little less mystery and a little more enlightenment. Men are entitled 
to their convictions and to their business secrets which by hard work 
they have acquired ; but it seems as if a more general progress is gained 
in any line of work by the more widespread knowledge of an unre- 
served and free investigation. Whatever may be the benefit of such an 
investigation and whatever view may be taken of the usefulness of the 
trotter, the deeper meaning of the service of this horse, as well as of all 
horses, should never be lost sight of. This great service rendered hu- 
manity is an inherent part of our much vaunted civilization, and 
should be judged by a broader standard than that of dollars and cents. 
By that service the horse is preeminently entitled to the full measure of 
a fair treatment. The still prevalent inhumanity of man to animals 
is no doubt a transmitted taint from the primeval ferocity of the 
human breed, which evolution has not yet blotted out by a greater 
sense of responsibility. Cruelty and thoughtlessness make the life of 
most horses a tragedy, and my plea for the trotter would be incom- 
plete if there were not added to it this earnest appeal to my fellowmen : 
Be Merciful ! 




O ^ M_ 

Si- 

< bo 2 

•£ o 
+j +-• 

o o 



INDEX. 



Action — Its curves, 22) and exten- 
sion, 24-25; 194; of knee and hock, 
35> 36, 171; fore and hind har- 
mony, 26-^9; under saddle, 37-38; 
standard of, 39; remarkable hind, 
69; symmetry of, 86; harmony 
spoilt, 90; quickened, 114; regu- 
larity of, 121; hind neglected, 121 ; 
total and proportions, 122; right 
hind, 150; inverse ratio, 157; fore 
high-hind low, 163; regulated, 165; 
fore and hind, 166; curves of, 167- 
170; checking extension, 170; by 
shoe, 202; downhill freer, 278; 
equalized uphill, 288; effect on in- 
cline, 292-293; equalization need- 
ed, 294. 

Adjustment (of balance) — Purpose 
of, 5; general effects, 6; principles 
of, 88; table for, 92; with faulty 
gait, 157; importance of hind, 171; 
unequal, 172; nicety of, 201; main 
object, 205; effect of previous, 
218; primary condition, 228; toe 
and angle, 243; perfect, 245; se- 
quence of, 259; averaged by con- 
ditions, 280; tests of incline, 283; 
accurate record of, 302. 

Allen Winters (winner of first Trot- 
ting Derby)— 310, 315. 

Alone (pacer) — Measurements of, 70; 
compared with Lou Dillon, 78, 81 ; 
action of, 78; shoeing of, 80; lat- 
eral extension of, 82, 85. 

Anaconda (pacer) — At speed, 264. 

Analysis (of gait) — Of motion, 40; 
requirements of, 48, 71 ; methodi- 
cal, 119; main purpose, 205. 

Angle — By toe and heel, 96; effect on 
extension, 97; pointing of, 107; 
range of, 107, 247; of dished hoof, 
176, 179; general effect on exten- 



sion, 205; length of hoof and 
general principles of, 241 ; fore 
respond quickly to, 250; effect on 
inclines, 282; downhill and uphill, 
292-293. 

Ankles— Weak hind, 189, 284; shoeing 
for, 253, 285; lack of suspension, 
179. 

Articulation — Of fore and hind; at 
rest, 20; in motion, 173; defini- 
tion, 91 ; flexion, 202. 

Attitudes — Side: ideal, 20; faulty, 21- 
22; Front: ideal, 98; faulty, 99- 
100; consequence of faulty, 154. 

Average— Determines faults, 4; defini- 
tion, 5; important, 40; how found, 
41. 

Axes — Of motion, 97; ideal, 98; of 
foot, 101 ; faulty, 102 ; and angle 
of foot, 106; of fore and hind, 173, 

Balance — Definition, 2 ; by corrections 
of gait, 10; due to compensations, 
22; experiments necessary, 44; 
seen in tracks, 60; by symmetry of 
motion, .86; requisites for, 87; 
Roberge's rational view, 88; con- 
ditions of, 89; lateral, 101-102; 
with perfect symmetry, 103; car- 
riage of head, 116; folly of forc- 
ing, 117; much time needed, 117; 
with equalized fore and hind ac- 
tion, 121 ; general principles of, 
138; with cast shoe, 142; by higher 
hind action, 201 ; main objects, 205; 
by interrelation of legs, 206; 
guess-work useless, 240; lateral 
adjusted, 244; not permanent, 
245; time required, 260; in dis- 
order, 266 ; downhill test, 278 ; 
foundation of, 280; solution of, 



^5 



316 



Index 



2 93\ gives horse confidence, 294; 
great study required for, 314. 

Bars — Across shoe, 114; direction by- 
tilting, 131, 136; on one hind, 134; 
at heels, 155; three shoeings with, 
221. 

Beauty — Of axes of motion, 97; with 
symmetry, 102; suggests efficiency, 
165. 

Berico (trotter) — Origin of, 27. 

Betting — A drawback, 309. 

Body — Center of gravity in, 18, 20, 61; 
lengthening of arid strain, 187. 

Break-over — At toe, 68; at least re- 
sistance, 104; with squared toes, 
193 ; by heel calks, 201 ; Lou Dil- 
lon's, 204; against knee hitting, 
249; on inclines, 282. 

Brood-mare — Care of, 306. 

California — As a producer of harness 
horses, 309. 

Calks — Leverage and hold of, 114; on 
hind, 156, 158, 160, 162, 207, 209; 
as checks of extension, 200, 276; at 
toe, 256; removed from hind, 257; 
for action, 288. 

Center of Gravity — Line of motion, 3; 
center of symmetry, 8; location, 
18, 20; point of reference, 19; di- 
rection, 61 ; shifting at turns, 128. 

Character — Evolution of, 306. 

Check-Line — Unnatural, 1 ; cruelty 
and humane use of, 115. 

Clay (trotter) — In motion, 33; com- 
parative action, 167. 

Compensations — Definition and im- 
portance, 16; effects of, 21, in Lou 
Dillon's gait, 64; deviations from 
straight line at trials, 81 ; in study 
of gait, 91; rule of, 101-102; caus- 
ing equilibrium, 293. 

Concussion (on ground)— Absent in 
easy gait, 46; due to angles and 
quarters, 108; of outside hind 
heel, 154; from lack of balance, 
240; of both hind heels, 249; 
double imprint, 251. 



Conformation— Table of notes for, 93. 

Contact (with ground)— By heel 
first, 107; normal appearance, 108; 
dilatory with hind, 124; hard with 
hind, 249; marked at toe, 259; 
marked at heels, 270; premature 
in mixed gait, 270. 

Cord (white)— For lateral measure- 
ments; see Median Line. 

Coronet— Its height, 95. 

Correlated Feet— Definition, 12; their 
equal movements in trot, 13; same 
in pace, 14; table for trot, 54; dis- 
tances the same, 55 ; table for pace,, 
77', increased by stride, 132; syn- 
chronous contact of, 124; dis- 
tances on incline, 196; distances 
equal, 205, 298; distances impor- 
tant, 262, 265; positions on 
ground, 268; in single-footing, 
273; time-beats of, 274; table for 
trot, 301. 

Cow-Hocked — Attitude, 100. 
Cross-Firing — Definition, 14; explana- 
tion, 42. 

Crossing Over (of fore)— Lou Dillon, 
54; in overstep, 57; tracks given, 
63; in lateral extension, 149; over 
median line, 153; of Sweet Marie, 
205. 

Cruelty— Of check-line, 115; abetted, 
313; primeval, 314. 

Curb — Due to excessive extension, 
248. 

Curves — Of motion, 25 ; deviations 
counteracted, 81 ; of action, 169- 
170; with flexion, 173; duration in 
fore and hind, 174; of knee hit- 
ting, 176; corrected by angles, 
183 ; modified, 279-280. 

Decimals — Less complex, 47; reduced 
to feet, 48. 

Defects — Seen in tracks, 3; shown by 
averages, 5; offset by compensa- 
tions, 103; not cured by force, 
172; absolute and relative, 293. 

Dished Toe — Leverage, 176; effect on 
extension, 178. 



Index 



317 



Distances — Between feet generally, 
4; of opposites, 10, 48; of corre- 
lated feet, 54; table of opposites, 
52; of correlated in pace, JJ ; of 
opposites in pace, 75 ; of opposite 
pairs, 79; between hind laterally, 
84; table of opposite and corre- 
lated feet in trot, 296; same in 
pace, 299. 

Downhill — A test, -196, 294; compared 
with uphill, 278, 2S2; with short 
and long gait, 279; general effect 
in gait, 292. 

Draft — Effect on hind extension, 
187-188; with speed, 280. 

Edgerton— See Edgington. 

Edgington, Abe (trotter) — In motion, 
31; under saddle, 47-48; com- 
parative action, 167; suggestive of 
improvements, 193. 

Elaine (trotter) — In motion, 29; 
comparative action, 167. 

Education (of horse) — Laborious, 
240; for usefulness, 305; by gen- 
tleness, 313. 

Elbow — Free in motion, 98. 

Elevation — Of feet, 22; of knee and 
hock, 22 ; shown by camera, 24 ; 
with extension, 24; due to bar 
shoe, 135; fore and hind com- 
pared, 167; averages, 169; effect 
of weight, 172 ; without extension, 
163; and extension, 22S. 

Endurance — Result of smooth gait, 
39; with harmony of motion, 103. 

Energy — Most efficient, 19; lost by toe 
leverage, 89; with health, 307. 

Equilibrium — Of foot disturbed, 87; 
symmetrical, 102; at turns, 129; 
dependent on compensations, 293. 

Examination — Of horse by table, 92. 

Experiments — To vary one thing at a 
time, 116, 260; and verifications, 
118; take time, 119; suggestive of 
remedies, 193; main object, 205; 
on incline, 255; downhill pre- 
ferred, 278. 



Extension — Equal in square gait, 2, 
13; averages, 5; swing of legs, 19,. 
97, 229; ideal, 20, 44; and elevation, 
25; under saddle, 38; different in 
opposite legs, 41, 107; diagonally, 
42; and stride, 50; lateral, 60; 
from median line, 63; table of lat- 
eral, 65 : shortened by squared toe, 
114; errors about hind, 121 ; un- 
equal swing of fore and hind, 123, 
175; equalizing of, 124; with left 
fore, 125 ; effect of weight, 135, 
172; results of lateral, 136-137; by 
toe-weights, 142, 161 ; double 
check to, 155, 194; action and, 170, 
171, 194; by thicker shoe, 163; and 
unfolding of leg, 173; and dished 
toe, 179; and hopping behind, 179; 
limit of, 183; comparative lateral,. 
184; excessive in one hind, 185; 
on one side, 186; with unsound- 
ness, 190; deficient behind, 192; 
checked by squared toes and calks, 
199; and "getting away" of fore, 
203; with longer hind heels, 213, 
2 35; °f one hind excessive, 226, 
230; dangerous at turns, 222; 
danger of excessive, 22,7; incline,. 
285-291; downhill, 292; uphill, 

293. 
Exterior of the Horse (book), 46. 

Extremities (fore and hind) — Sepa- 
ration of : not increased by toe- 
weights, 150; difficult to effect, 
155; short, 157; increased, 177; 
decreased, 187; greater with great- 
er stride, 182, 187; rather long, 
190; by backward extension of 
hind, 203; variations of, 231; with 
lengths of toes, 246; checked by 
length of fore, 257; abnormally 
small, 258; downhill and uphill, 
281, 291 ; properly determined, 
295; Relation of: compensations 
between, 100; when strides differ, 
252. 

Faults — Of gait seen on ground, 3 ; 
with deviation from straight line,. 



3i3 



Index 



io ; of attitudes, 21, 22; found by 
analysis, 120; unequal adjustment 
for, 172; less visible at speed, 172; 
need unequal adjustment, 206; ir- 
regular rhythm, 22^, 236. 

Feet — Points of motion, 8; direction, 
8, 10; distance laterally, 10; one 
preceding other, 41, 42; position 
and median line, 60; contact with 
ground, 42, 240; fall of, 124; gen- 
eral directions, 125; elevation at 
speed, 167, 169; response to 
changes, 250; rhythm of contact, 
266; positions judged by eye, 295. 

Flexion — Of fore and hind, 22; aids 
to, 166; table, 167; with weight, 
202; illustration, 173; knee and 
hock, 202. 

Fore Legs — Variations from stride, 50 ; 
one ahead of other, 59; flexion 
of, 202; dangerous extension, 222; 
"recovering," 223; check to speed 
236; danger of inequality, 248; 
responsive to changes, 250; like 
stilts, 256. 

Forging — Due to weight and action, 

197. 
Frog — Distance to median line, 62. 

Gait — Square, 2; standard, 26; trot- 
ting and pacing, z^\ exact record 
of, 44; causes of rough, 59; low 
in Alone: 85; observations, 92; 
ideals of, 115; analysis required, 
105, 119; effect of saddle, 161; 
evolution gradual, 181 ; limit of 
changes in, 183; weight in rapid 
and sweeping, 202; effective toe 
leverage, 228; primary condition, 
228-229; first evidence of faulty, 
240; regularity and variations, 
263; trotting and pacing illustrat- 
ed, 264-265 ; evidence of mixed, 
269; long and short on incline, 
279; heredity of, 311-312. 

Generalizations — Based on experi- 
ments, 46; results of experiments, 
118-119, 145; applicable to all 
horses, 138. 



Ground Surface — Of shoe, 212. 
Goubaux and Barrier — "The Ex- 
terior of the Horse," 46. 

Handicapping— As a variety, 308; its 
benefits, 311. 

Harmony — Between fore and hind, 69, 
91; due to paring, 90; from per- 
fect repose, 103; of action by 
weight, 142; lack due to fore and 
hind stride, 198; spoilt by exces- 
sive extension, 218; in calculations, 
275; by means of compensations, 
293- 

Harness Horse — and thoroughbred, 
305, 309; treatment of, 313. 

Head — Free with easy mouth, 115; 
part of balance, 116; carried to 
side, 148-149. 

Heel — High and low, 6, 95; relation 
to toe, 95; first on ground, 107; 
longer on one hind, 146; swelled, 
148; outside long, 153, 155, 158; 
invisible on ground, 155; sliding 
of, 163, 179; smooth and swelled, 
181, 232; calks and squared toes, 
199 ; longer vs. thicker, 208 ; longer 
hind, 211 ; long with extension, 
218, 235; high with squared toe, 
228 ; swelled and short, 231 ; strik- 
ing of hind, 233. 

Heredity — Factor in development, 1; 
improvement of gait by, 311. 

Hind Leg — Variation from stride, 50; 
increased stride, 53; longer for 
turn, 147; loose articulation of, 
166; hopping of, 179; flexion of, 
202; as a propellor, 235. 

Hock — Ideal and faulty directions, 98- 
100; flexion compared with knee, 
i67> *73', average elevation, 169; 
with spavin, 185. 

Hock Action — Compared with knee 
action, 35-36; effect of weight, 141 ; 
effect of knee action on, 157 ;* regu- 
lated by weight, 165; and exten- 
sion, 201 ; on an incline, 289. 

Hoof — Fitting to shoe, 45 ; Roberge on 
shape, 45; ever growing, 87, 89; 



Index 



319 



axis of, 101 ; compensations in, 
102-103; a growing evil, 104, 147; 
shape important, 109; "wing" re- 
moved, 154; dished front, 176; of 
different sizes, 206; obstacle of bal- 
ance, 241 ; section of, 242; after re- 
moval of shoe, 245 ; danger of un- 
equal lengths of, 248; length 
checks fore extension, 256; length 
on incline, 292-293. 

Hoof Gauge — Application of, 94; 
principles of, 105-108; versus eye, 
163. 

Horse in Motion (book), by Dr. Still- 
man, 18, 24, 26. 

Horse — As an individual, 6; each has 
its own gait, 90; notes on make- 
up of, 92; developed by ideals, 
116; complex locomotion of, 118; 
intelligence and service of, 305; 
accused of cowardice, 312. 

Ideals — Of gait, 26; not merely ideas, 

90. 
Idolita (trotter) — At speed, 264. 
Immobility— Of fore, 166, 237, 250, 

264. 
Improvement — Of gait: limitations, 

39; 183. 

Incline — Test of balance, 196, 278; 
both ways compared,' 278-279. 

Interference — Hind with fore in trot, 
11; in pace, 13; cross-firing, 14; 
prevented, 23; with crossing over 
of fore, 67; when impossible, 68; 
at turns, 126-127; due to hind ex- 
tension, 144; reduced by angles, 
183; due to flexion and action, 
203; due to length of toes, 246- 

247. 

Interrelation— Of legs, 51; absence 
of, 67; not understood, 121; af- 
fecting extension, 133; with action 
and extension, 144; affecting bal- 
ance, 206; affecting one leg, 231; 
contrary effect of, 214. 

Investigation— Its value, 5; on even 
ground, 12; aim and application, 
44; table for, 92; must be free, 



118; saves time and money, 161; 
applies to all cases,' 240; better 
than forcing balance, 255; applic- 
able to pacers, 260; leads to cor- 
rections, 277. 
Irregularity— Of extension, 5, 125; of 
gait, 6; causes of, 41; found by 
camera, 46. 

Joints — Faulty directions of, 98, 99, 
100. 

Kinetoscope — Suggested, 173. 

Kingmond (trotter) — At speed, 264. 

Knee — Directions, 98, 100; action due 
to shoe, 165; knee and hock flex- 
ion compared, 167, 173; average 
elevation, 169. 

Knee Action — Compared with hock 
action, 35-36; effect of weight, 141 ; 
on an incline, 289. 

Knee Hitting — Effect of toe-weight, 
154; due to vicious curves, 176- 
177; and toeing out, 183; shoeing 
for, 248-249, 253. 

Knuckling — Of hind, 189; defective 
extension by,. 191 ; rolling motion, 
shoe as a remedy, 253; and exten- 
sion, 255. 

Lateral Balance — Indicated by med- 
ian line, 62, 65 ; of hoof, 97 ; fixed 
by axis of foot, 101 ; deficient, 
104; adjusted by eye, 243-244; 
symmetry of, 247. 

Lateral Extension — Definition, 60 ; 
of trot, 62; table, 65; illustration, 
67; table for pace, 82; due to atti- 
tudes, 100; around turns, 129; 
faults of, 234; incurable, 239; 
omitted, 295. 

Legs — Functions of fore and hind, 23; 
' crossing of fore, 16, 204; motion 
of, 16; extensions of, 19; inter- 
relation of, 51; one shorter, 120; 
action of hind, 121 ; flexion of fore 
and hind, 202; one longer, 247. 

Length — Of toe, 242, 217; on incline, 
289; of leg, 247; inequality dan- 
gerous, 248. 



3 2 ° 



Index 



Leverage — Of toe a strain, 88; energy 
expended, 89; with squared toe 
and high heel, 228; with angles on 
incline 282; downhill and uphill, 
292-293. 

Line of Safety— Of hoof for paring, 
88; important principle, 245. 

Line Pace — Ideal and actual, 13; as a 
standard, 15. 

Line Trot — Definition, 9; ideal and 
actual, 10; axes of, 97. 

Locomotion — Hereditary influence, 1 ; 
on incline, 6, 282; complex, 116; 
difficulty of experiments, 118. 

Lost Motion — Due to curves, 15; due 
to lateral extension, 100. 

Lord Derby (trotter), at speed, 262. 

Lou Dillon — Her measurements, 48; 
lateral extensions, 63, 67; cross- 
ing of fore, 54, 64; shoeing of, 
69; action, 69; compared with 
Alone, 81 ; at turns, 130; toe lever- 
age, 204. 

Manual Books — Convenient for ana- 
ysis, 5 ; set forth method, 86. 

Measurements — General outline, 3 ; 
table for trot, 47; trotting stride, 
49; start with first stride, 59; 
table for pace, 71; pacing stride, 
72; explain gait, 161; finding 
"short stride" by, 223; details of 
proof of, 274; lead to balance, 
293; main features of, 295; of 
pace reviewed, 302. 

Median Line— Idea of, 3; definition 
and location, 8; its direction, 60; 
distances of tracks from, 65; and 
center of gravity, 61 ; aid to lat- 
eral balance, 247; and relative 
positions of feet, 295, 302. 

Method (of analysis) — No cure-all, 
44; aid to locomotion, 86; eye un- 
reliable, 120; changes compared by, 
181 ; balance effected by, 193 ; the 
eye as aid of, 229; abbreviated, 
295; reliability of, 304. 

Metrical System— Easier calculations 
by, 47- 



Morning Star (pacer) — At speed, 265, 

Motion — Referred to center of gravity,, 
8; ideal, 16; straight lines of, 19; 
swing of legs, 20, 229; curves of, 
25; revealed by camera, 40; of, 
center of gravity, 61 ; harmony of, 
69; principle of rocking, in; best 
with free head, 115; fore and hind 
irregular in, 120; of legs, 173; 
trotting, 264; pacing, 265; disturb- 
ed by lack of compensations, 293. 

Mouth — Rarely good and often spoilt, 
US 

Muybridge, E. J. — His work at Palo 
Alto Farm, 18; motion pictures, 
40, 166; great value of photo- 
graphs, 171. 

Notation — Decimals simpler, 4, 47; re- 
duced to feet, 48; of fractions,. 
296. 

Occident (trotter)— In motion, 27; 
comparative action, 167. 

Opposite Feet — Distances, 48; table 
for trot, 52 ; table for pace, 75 ; in 
mixed gait, 272; difference in ex- 
tension, 273; table of, 299. 

Opposite Pairs of Feet — Distances in 
pace, 79. 

Overstep — Definition, 10; in analysis, 
49; increases with speed, 56; 
table of Lou Dillon's, 57; table 
for trot, 58; downhill and uphill^ 
196; key to irregular gait, 297. 

Pace — Position of feet, 14; around 
turns, 128; inclination to, 207; 
compared with single-foot, 269; 
time beats of, 274. 

Pacer — In motion, 34; subject to same 
principles, 260; not as useful as 
trotter, 310. 

Paddling — Attitude for, 98, 99; and 
heavier shoe, 145; effect on oppo- 
site foot, 222. 

Palo Alto Farm— Photographs, 18; 
pictures of horses in motion, 26; 
single-footing, 267; trotting, 268. 



Index 



321 



Paring — To line of safety, 88; more 
important than shoe, 90; to count- 
eract growth, 94; to white line, 
95; when shoeing, 104; causes bal- 
ance, 104-105; shoeing secondary 
to, 105, 259; directs lateral ex- 
tension, 183-184; directing feet by, 
234; a delicate operation, 241, 243; 
exactness wanted, 244. 

Pastern — Angle of foot determined 
by, 247. 

Pendulum Swing — Of legs, 9; equal- 
ity disturbed, 123; due to good 
hock action, 169; illustrated, 264- 
265 ; indicated by variations, 229. 

Planes of Motion — Of feet and cen- 
ter of gravity, 61 ; of axes of legs, 
97; of hoof, 106. . 

Pointing — Cause of, 6; in analysis of 
gait, 18; determined by attitudes, 
21, 22; in and out, 66; invariable 
rule of, 80, 295 ; caused by high 
quarters, 87; value of theory, 88; 
unequal between opposite legs, 107 ; 
indicated by shoes, in; of hind 
extension, 125; by bars, 137; by 
longer toe, 170; by long toe and 
low angle, 225 ; by paring, 234. 

Poles — Judicious use of, 149: no place 
in races, 165 ; balance effected 
without, 183. 

Proportion — Between speed, long toe 
and energy, 89; of fore and hind 
action, 122; of elevation, 169. 

Quarters (of foot) — Symmetry of, 
101 ; directions of, 102; difficult to 
balance, 243. 

Racing — The bane of continuous, 309. 

Record (of gait) — On ground, 12; 
must be kept, 44; necessity of writ- 
ten, 89; of observations, 92; busi- 
nesslike, 302. 

Remedies (for defects) — Should be 
gradual, 108; permanent and tem- 
porary, 120; of no quick effect, 
138; limitations of, 183; for 
knuckling, 191 ; for knee hitting, 



177; temporary, 206; not always 
perfect 304. 

Rig (or harness) — Desirable simpli- 
city of, 114; when objectionable, 
165. 

Roberge, David — His theory of "point- 
ing," 18; on shape of hoof, 45; 
pointing at speed, 53, 76; invari- 
able rule of pointing, 80; on high 
quarters of hoof, 87; theory and 
practice, 88; on extension, 97; on 
perfect balance, 103; on shape of 
hoof and shoe, 109; some dis- 
crepancies in experiments, 118; on 
shoeing as a science and an art, 
244; on balance, 245. 

Rocking Motion— Of flesh-footed ani- 
mals the basis of, in; principles 
of the shoe, 112-113; the Memphis 
shoe, 114; for strains, 207; for 
action, 209; with eased heels be- 
hind, 252 ; and hock action, 287. 

Rough Gait — Causes of, 59; due to 
shorter leg, 120; regulated, 139; 
not removed by speed, 172. 

Rules (N. T. A.) — Lax interpreta- 
tion of, 311. 

Russell, William — Book on shoeing, 
45. 

Rhythm (of gait) — Regularity want- 
ed, 20; disturbed, 227, 236; as an 
aid to balance, 266. 

Scale — Of diagrams, 151. 

Scoring — Unsatisfactory, 310. 

Shoe — Make of, 45; overrated, 88; 
perfect plane of, 104; simplicity of 
design, 105; shape of, 108; con- 
tact with ground, 108; slipping of, 
109; shape important, 109, 171; 
best when light, 109; gait steadied 
by heavy, no; four on ground, 
no; with ground surface up, in; 
rolling motion, 111-113, 253; Mem- 
phis, 114, 134, 219, 220; modified 
rolling motion, 114; wider web of, 
155, 160; action due to, 165; with 
squared toes, 193 ; with longer 
hind heels, 211; ground surface of, 
212; thickness of web, 238. 



322 



Index 



Shoeing — Influence of previous, 44, 
138, 164; art and science of, 46, 
120, 244; forced method of, 91; 
table of record of, 93; service- 
ableness of, 105 ; time required for 
testing, 116; eye unreliable for, 
163; creases, "grabs" and calks, 
200; analysis required for, 259; by 
one man only, 260. 

Side Pole — Use of, 149. 

Simplicity — Of rig, 114; suggests effi- 
ciency, 165; of shoes, 171. 

Single-footing — In irregular trot, 55; 
causes of, 59; due to low hind 
action, 155, 199; suspicion of, 158; 
known by rhythm, 266; illustrated, 
267; leg action independent in, 
268; time beats of, 271, 274; with 
excessive extension, 270. 

Size (of horse) — With weight, 306; 
classification by, 308; usefulness 
of, 31.1. 

Sliding, Slipping — Absent in smooth 
gait, 46; perfect balance shows no, 
60; bars as preventives of, 114; 
marked in hind, 163; of hind heels, 
179; stopped by shoe, 200; of hind 
heels, 233. 

Sole — Paring of, 88. 

Sonoma Girl (trotter) — At rest, 103. 

Spavin — Effect on extension, 185 ; 
caused by unequal extension, 248. 

Speed— Dependent on balance, 1 ; by 
straight lines, 19 ; not sole criter- 
ion, 26; and the long toe notion, 
89; due to proper changes, 147; a 
gag for criticism, 164; as a test 
of strength, 280; a defective stand- 
ard, 306, 308; 

Speedy-cutting — Definition of, 11; in- 
terference by, 42; a common cause 
of, 188. 

Square Gait — Definition of, 2; re- 
ferred to center of gravity, 3; 
standard conditions, 61 ; spoilt by 
excessive variations, 189; with un- 
equal adjustment, 205; 

Squared Toes — Influence on motion, 
89; and extension, 114; of shoes, 



193; and heel calks, 199; on dia- 
gonal feet, 207, 216, 217; on one 
side, 212, 215, 236; with longer 
hoof and heels, 214; on hind, 216; 
and round toes, 226; general effect 
of, 211, 227, 228; with high heels," 
22S. 

Standard Bred Horse — Developed by 
ideals, 116; a better classification 
for, 306; nondescript at present, 
308. 

Stanford, Gov. Leland — Palo Alia 
Farm, 18. 

Stifle— r Free motion of, 99. 

Stride — Definition of, 4; same for 
each leg, 40, 50, 73 ; average, 41 ; 
table for trot, 49; difference be- 
tween fore and hind, 53, 74, 189, 
252, 255; "shortness" of, 50, 223, 
248; of pace, 72; average, 7S', 
"lengthening" of, 123 ; "shorten- 
ing" of, 124; misnomer for ex- 
tension, 125; variations of, 140; ef- 
fect on separation of fore and 
hind, 182, 187; downhill and up- 
hill effects, 292-293. 

Sweet Marie — at rest, 87; at speed, 
205. 

Swing of Legs — See Pendulum. 

Symmetry — Of motion, 86; of equilib- 
rium, 102; as a part of balance, 
103; of lateral balance, 247. 

Tape Line — Its use, 3-4; in trials, 46- 
47, 70, 296. 

Teeth — Good condition important, 115. 

Tendon (swelled) — Effect on exten- 
sion, 185; spoils gait, 218; caused 
by check to extension, 222. 

Time — Prime condition for balance, 7, 
114, 260; • for corrections, 44; 
changes require, 116; during win- 
ter, 124; with confirmed habits, 
157; not allowed, 192; lack of 
confuses results, 149-150. * 

Time Beats — Of gaits, 269. 

Toe — Effect of length, 6, 182; break- 
over at, 67; leverage of, 89, 204; 
squared, 89; notions about length, 



Index 



23 



89; long and "high," 94; and white 
line, 95; angle with heel, 95-96; 
where break-over is easiest, 104; 
dished, 178, 206, 207, 209; two 
longer, 180; leverage of squared, 
207; length and angle vs. "low" 
and "high" 242; its power of pro- 
pulsion, 233 ; length over-rated, 
246; lack of suspension, 250; lev- 
erage on incline, 283. 

Toeing In and Out — Found by track 
gauge, 66, 84; effect of bars, 136- 
137; effect of toe-weight, 160; of 
fore, 194. 

Toe-weights — And greater extension, 
142; indirect effect on hind action, 
150, 163; no improvement on total 
action, 150; as auxiliaries to bal- 
ance, 152; on near fore, 156, 160; 
with heavy shoes, 161 ; general ef- 
fect, 164; temporary use, 165; with 
rapid and long action, 201 ; down- 
hill and uphill, 293. 

Track — Turns of, 125-126; turns well 
taken, 129, 139, 161, 180, 199, 205; 
used for experiments, . 193 ; with 
inclines, 195-196; suitability of, 
294; roughness inexcusable, 280, 
294. 

Track Gauge — Description of, 62; ap- 
plication of, 63, 83. 

Tracks (of feet) — Po'sition a guid- 
ance, 3 ; appearance of, 43 ; nature 
of, 46; position and contact, 60; 
relation to median line, 60; posi- 
tions at turns, 184; important evi- 
dence, 197-198; distinctness of, 
240; of gaits compared, 275; of 
trot, 296; of pace, 303. 

Trajectory (curve of motion) — Of 
feet, 25; how obtained, 26; high 
by weight of shoe, no. 

Trials — Outline of, 3; preparation 
and method of, 12; measure- 
ments of, 46; around turn, 126; 
straight directions of, 149; on in- 
cline, 195; on level, 196; effect of 
uphill, 255; downhill, and uphill 
compared, 278. 



Trot— Basis of ideal, 8; line trot, 9; 
position of feet in, 13; its require- 
ments, 48; pace compared with 
trot around turns, 128; and single- 
footing, 269; time beats of, 274. 

Trotter — Versus runner, 305; quali- 
ties of, 306; as an individual, 309; 
more useful than pacer, 310. 

Trotting Instinct— Essential for bal- 
ance, 1 ; hindered by defects, 154. 

Trotting Register— Importance of, 
307. 

Uphill Trials — Effect of, 255; com- 
pared with downhill, 278, 282; ef- 
fect on long and short gait, 279; 
general effect on gait, 293. 

Usefulness — Must be considered in 
trotter, 2; spoilt by excessive 
front action, 121; a plea for, 305; 
improved by intelligence, 305; the 
make-up of, 307; requires sub- 
stance, 310. 

Variations — Of stride, 41, 50; in fore 
and hind, 50, 73; from average 
stride, 140; difference between 
fore and hind, 159; least in best 
gait, 182, 188; difference on in- 
cline, 195; total scope of, 238; 
of lateral extensions, 239 ; excess 
due to defects, 255; in mixed gait, 
271 ; affected by incline, 284, 289. 

Verifications — Of remedies in experi- 
ments, 118, 240. 

Weight (of shoe) — General effect, 6; 
over-rated, 90, 109, 259; steadies 
gait, no; effect on extension, 135, 
136; effect on fore and hind, 141, 
172; effect by shape of shoe, 146; 
with toe-weights, 162-163; shape 
better than, 171; unequal, 172; ef- 
fect on motion, 174; on one hind, 
175 ; indirect effect, 184, 206 ; effect 
at speed, 188; unequal behind, 190; 
changing hind action to extension, 
194; greater behind, 200; with 
shape of hind shoes, 201 ; effect 



324 



Index 



in rapid and long gait, 202; caus- 
ing single-footing, 270-271 ; with 
smooth shoes, 276; general effects 
on incline, 289; downhill and tip- 
hill effects of, 292-293. 



Weight (of horse) — With size, 306; 
required for usefulness, 308; capa- 
city to pull, 311. 

White Line — Limit of paring, 88, 245 ; 
determines 'ength of toe, 95. 



JUN 8 ISIO 






One copy del. to Cat. Div. 






